Carbohydrate ligands that bind to IgM antibodies against myelin-associated glycoprotein

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to carbohydrate ligands presenting the minimal Human Natural Killer-1 (HNK-1) epitope that bind to anti-MAG (myelin-associated glycoprotein) IgM antibodies, and their use in diagnosis as well as for the treatment of anti-MAG neuropathy. In particular, the invention relates to disaccharides of formula (I) and (II) wherein Z is optionally substituted phenyl, heteroaryl, arylcarbonyl, or heteroarylmethyl, and to therapeutically acceptable polymers comprising a multitude of substituents of formula (I) and/or formula (II), wherein Z is a bifunctional linker connecting the disaccharides to the polymer backbone.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to carbohydrate ligands that bind to IgM antibodies against myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), polymers comprising these, and to their use in diagnosis and therapy of anti-MAG neuropathy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein neuropathy is a demyelinating peripheral neuropathy, caused by autoantibodies recognizing the antigenic HNK-1 carbohydrate epitope, found on myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and other glycoconjugates of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The clinical picture is characterized by a slowly progressing demyelinating, predominantly sensory neuropathy. The correlation of high levels of antibodies and demyelination is well established. Thus, pathological studies on nerve biopsies from patients show demyelination and widening of myelin lamellae, as well as deposits of anti-MAG IgM on myelin. Furthermore, therapeutic reduction of the IgM antibody concentration leads to clinical improvement of neuropathic symptoms. (A. J. Steck et al., Current Opinion in Neurology 2006, 19:458-463; M. C. Dalakes, Current Treatment Options in Neurology 2010, 12:71-83).

The myelin glycoconjugates that contain the HNK-1 epitope include the glycoproteins MAG, protein zero (P0), peripheral myelin protein-22 (PMP22), as well as the glycolipids sulfoglucuronyl paragloboside (SGPG) and sulfoglucuronyl lactosaminyl paragloboside (SGLPG). Several observations suggest MAG as major target for the IgM antibodies: (i) Deposits of patients' antibodies to PNS sites are co-localized with MAG, (ii) MAG is selectively lost from myelin, and (iii) the human nerve pathology and MAG-knockout mice show characteristic similarities (R. H. Quarles, Journal of Neurochemistry 2007, 100: 1431-1448).

MAG belongs to the family of sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs). It is located mainly in periaxonal membranes of oligodendroglial cells in the CNS and Schwann cells in the PNS and is involved in adhesion and signaling processes at the axon-glia interface (R. H. Quarles, 2007, loc. cit.). MAG is strongly glycosylated, i.e. 30% of its molecular weight is contributed by heterogeneous N-linked oligosaccharides. All of the potential eight N-glycosylation sites of MAG can carry the HNK-1 epitope. The two glycolipids (SGPG, SGLPG) carrying the HNK-1 epitope contain 3-O-sulfoglucuronic acid (SO₃-3GlcA) as a specific hallmark (T. Ariga et al., J Biol Chem 1987, 262:848-853). Interestingly, the HNK-1 epitope structure of bovine glycoprotein P0 also contains this characteristic feature. The similarity between the three elucidated structures is restricted to the terminal trisaccharide. Consequently the HNK-1 epitope was defined as SO₃-3-GlcA(β1-3)Gal(β1-4)GlcNAc—OH.

The precise carbohydrate epitope recognized by IgM antibodies remains unclear. A study with SGPG derivatives showed that the IgM antibodies place different importance on the carboxyl and the sulfate group. Whereas “intact” SGPG, containing both negatively charged groups, was reported as optimal epitope for antibody binding (A. A. Ilyas et al., J Neurochemistry 1990, 55:594-601), other studies emphasize the importance of the length of the carbohydrate chain for antibody recognition. Furthermore, the SO₃-3-GlcA(β1-3)Gal disaccharide epitope seems to be the minimum requirement for binding (A. Tokuda et al., J. Carbohydrate Chemistry 1998, 17:535-546).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to carbohydrate ligands that bind to anti-MAG IgM antibodies, and their use in diagnosis as well as for the treatment of anti-MAG neuropathy.

In particular the invention relates to disaccharides of formula (I)

and of formula (II)

wherein Z is optionally substituted phenyl, heteroaryl, arylcarbonyl, or heteroarylmethyl.

Furthermore the invention relates to therapeutically acceptable polymers comprising a multitude of substituents of formula (I) and/or formula (II), wherein Z is a linker connecting said substituent to the polymer backbone.

The invention relates also to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, diagnostic kits containing these, and to the use of these compounds for the diagnosis and therapy of anti-MAG neuropathy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1. Schematic representation of a competitive binding assay

(a) Incubation of MAG-coated plates with anti-MAG IgM (patient sera) and polymer 25. (b) Wash step. (c) Incubation with anti-human IgM antibody coupled to horseradish peroxidase. (d) Wash step. (e) Addition of tetramethylbenzidin (TMB) substrate. (f) Addition of acidic stop solution and measurement of the optical density.

FIG. 2. Binding Curves for Compounds 1, 2 and 25

2(a) The MAG-coated wells were co-incubated with compound 1 (50 mM highest concentration) and the four patient sera MK, DP, KH and SJ (% ab=% IgM antibody binding to MAG).

2(b) Co-incubation of MAG-coated wells with compound 2 (50 mM highest concentration) together with patient sera MK and SJ.

2(c) Co-incubation with compound 25 (15 μM highest concentration) together with patient sera MK, KH and SJ. Compound 25 is a polylysine polymer with a defined percentage of lysine residues coupled to the minimal HNK-1 epitope (1). The general abbreviation used is as follows: PL(minHNK-1)_(x) with x defining the percentage of epitope loading in %. In this case the polymer is PL(minHNK-1)₄₄.

2(d) Co-incubation with patient serum KH together with the polymers PL(minHNK-1)_(x) with x being 10, 25, 31 and 44% (0.5 mM highest concentration).

2(e) Co-incubation with the mouse monoclonal anti-HNK-1 IgM antibody, a positive control antibody, together with the polymers PL(minHNK-1)_(x) with x being 10, 25, 31 and 44% (0.5 mM highest concentration).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A minimal HNK-1 carbohydrate epitope still reliably recognized by anti-MAG IgM antibodies was identified and corresponding disaccharides prepared both in a sulfated (formula I) and non-sulfated form (formula II).

The invention relates to these disaccharides of formula (I)

and of formula (II)

wherein Z is optionally substituted phenyl, heteroaryl, arylcarbonyl, or heteroarylmethyl. The sulfate moiety in formula (I) is located in position 3 of glucuronic acid.

Furthermore the invention relates to polymers comprising a multitude of substituents of formula (I) and/or formula (II), wherein Z is a linker connecting said substituent to the polymer backbone.

In particular, linker Z is (bifunctional) aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-lower alkyl, arylcarbonyl, or heteroarylmethyl, wherein aryl or heteroaryl is substituted by alkylene with 3 to 25 carbon atoms connecting to the polymer wherein optionally

(a) one or more carbon atoms of alkylene are replaced by nitrogen carrying a hydrogen atom, and one of the adjacent carbon atoms is substituted by oxo, representing an amide function —NH—CO—; and/or

(b) one or more carbon atoms of alkylene are replaced by oxygen;

(c) one or more carbon atoms of alkylene are replaced by sulphur; and/or

(d1) the terminal carbon atom connecting to the polymer is substituted by oxo; or

(d2) the terminal carbon atom connecting to the polymer is replaced by —NH—.

The polymer comprising the multitude of substituents of formula (I) and/or formula (II), wherein Z is a linker connecting said substituent to the polymer backbone, is preferably an α-amino acid polymer, an acrylic acid or methacrylic acid polymer or copolymer, or a N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone-vinylalcohol copolymer.

Particular examples of polymers of the invention are

(A) a poly-α-amino acid, wherein the amino acid carries a side chain aminoalkyl function, such as in poly-lysine, in particular poly-L-lysine or poly-D-lysine, and the amino group is connected to a terminal carbonyl group of bifunctional linker Z;

(B) a poly-α-amino acid, wherein the amino acid carries a side chain carbonylalkyl function, such as in poly-aspartic acid or poly-glutamic acid, and the carbonyl group (which corresponds to the original carboxy group in aspartic acid and glutamic acid, respectively) is connected to a terminal —CH₂-group of bifunctional linker Z; (C) poly-acrylic acid, poly-methacrylic acid or a copolymer of acrylic and methacrylic acid, wherein the carboxy group is amidated by a terminal amino group of bifunctional linker Z; and (D) a copolymer of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and vinyl alcohol, wherein the hydroxy group of the vinyl alcohol part of the copolymer is connected to a terminal carbonyl group of bifunctional linker Z.

In a particular embodiment, a polymer (A) comprises the partial formula (III)

wherein R¹ is an aminoalkyl substituent connected to linker Z, wherein the alkylene group of Z carries an oxo group in the terminal position connected to the amino group of R¹, R² is 2,3-dihydroxypropylthioacetyl-aminoalkyl, and the relation between the two bracketed entities with R¹ and R², respectively, in the polymer indicates the relation of disaccharide loading to capped amino function.

For example, R¹ is of formula (IIIa)

and R² is of formula (IIIb)

wherein o is between 1 and 6, preferably 3 or 4, p is between 1 and 6, preferably between 2 and 4, in particular 3, and q is between 1 and 6, preferably between 1 and 4, in particular 2.

When o is 3, substituent R¹ represents a side chain of poly-ornithine, and when o is 4, substituent R¹ represents a side chain of poly-lysine, connected to a linker Z carrying a disaccharide of formula (I) or (II) at the free valence, and R² is 2,3-dihydroxy-propylthioacetyl-aminoalkyl, i.e. a capped amino function having a solubilizing substituent.

The poly-amino acid can be linear, hyperbranched or dendritic, as described by Z. Kadlecova et al., Biomacromolecules 2012, 13:3127-3137, for poly-lysine as follows:

The poly-lysine used to prepare polymer (A) of formula (III) has preferably a molecular weight between 15000 and 300000, in particular 30000 to 70000, and such polymers further connected via a linker Z to compounds of formula (I) and/or (II) and with a capping 2,3-dihydroxypropylthioacetyl residue are preferred.

In a particular embodiment, a polymer (B) comprises the partial formula (III)

wherein R¹ is a carbonylalkyl substituent connected to linker Z, wherein the alkylene group of Z carries a —CH₂-group in the terminal position connected to the carbonyl group of R¹, R² is 2,3-dihydroxypropylthioacetyl-carbonylalkyl, and the relation between the two bracketed entities with R¹ and R², respectively, in the polymer indicates the relation of disaccharide loading to capped carbonyl or carboxy function.

For example, R¹ is of formula (IIIc)

and R² is of formula (IIId)

wherein o is between 1 and 6, preferably 1 or 2, p is between 1 and 6, preferably between 2 and 4, in particular 3, and q is between 1 and 6, preferably between 1 and 4, in particular 2.

When o is 1, substituent R¹ represents a side chain of poly-glutamic acid, and when o is 2, substituent R¹ represents a side chain of poly-aspartic acid, connected to a linker Z carrying a disaccharide of formula (I) or (II) at the free valence, and R² is 2,3-dihydroxy-propylthioacetyl-carbonylalkyl, i.e. a capped carboxy function having a solubilizing substituent.

The poly-aspartic acid used to prepare polymer (B) of formula (III) has preferably a molecular weight between 15000 and 300000, in particular 30000 to 70000, and such polymers further reacted with linker Z connected to compounds of formula (I) and/or (II) and with a capping 2,3-dihydroxypropylthioalkyl residue are preferred.

In a particular embodiment, a polymer (C) comprises the partial formula (IV)

wherein R¹ is a linker Z, wherein the alkylene group of Z carries a —NH₂— group in the terminal position connected to the carbonyl group in (IV), R² is 2,3-dihydroxypropylthioacetylaminoalkylamino or a related amino substituent, and R³ is hydrogen or methyl; and the relation between the two bracketed entities with R¹ and R², respectively, in the polymer indicates the relation of disaccharide loading to capped carboxy function.

For example, R¹ is of formula (IVa)

and R² is of formula (IVb)

wherein in q is between 1 and 6, preferably between 4 and 6, and r is between 1 and 6, preferably between 1 and 4, in particular 2.

In another embodiment R¹ is of formula (IVd)

and R² is of formula (IVe)

wherein p is between 1 and 10, preferably between 1 and 4, q is between 1 and 6, preferably between 4 and 6, and r is between 1 and 6, preferably between 1 and 4, in particular 2.

In another embodiment R¹ is of formula (IVf)

wherein r is between 1 and 6, preferably between 1 and 4, in particular 2, and R² is of formula (IVc) (above).

The poly-acrylic acid used to prepare polymer (C) of formula (IV) has preferably a molecular weight between 30000 and 400000, in particular 30000 to 160000, and such polymers further reacted with linker Z connected to compounds of formula (I) and/or (II) and with a capping 2,3-dihydroxypropylthioacetyl residue are preferred.

In a particular embodiment, a polymer (D) comprises the partial formula (V)

wherein R¹ is a linker Z, wherein the alkylene group of Z carries a aminocarbonyl group in the terminal position connected to the hydroxyl group in (V), R² is 2,3-dihydroxypropylthioacetylaminoalkylaminocarbonyl or a related aminocarbonyl substituent, and the relation between the two bracketed entities with R¹ and R², respectively, in the polymer indicates the relation of disaccharide loading to capped hydroxy function.

For example, R¹ is of formula (Va)

and R² is of formula (Vb)

wherein q is between 1 and 6, preferably between 4 and 6, and r is between 1 and 6, preferably between 1 and 4, in particular 2.

In another embodiment R¹ is of formula (Vc)

and R² is of formula (Vd)

wherein p is between 1 and 10, preferably between 1 and 4, q is between 1 and 6, preferably between 4 and 6, and r is between 1 and 6, preferably between 1 and 4, in particular 2.

In another embodiment R¹ is of formula (Ve)

and R² is of formula (Vf)

wherein r is between 1 and 6, preferably between 1 and 4, in particular 2.

The copolymer used to prepare polymer (D) of formula (V) has preferably a molecular weight between 30000 and 400000, in particular 30000 to 160000, and such polymers further reacted with linker Z connected to compounds of formula (I) and/or (II) and with a capping 2,3-dihydroxypropylthioacetyl residue are preferred.

The general terms used hereinbefore and hereinafter preferably have within the context of this disclosure the following meanings, unless otherwise indicated:

The prefix “lower” denotes a radical having up to and including a maximum of 7, especially up to and including a maximum of 4 carbon atoms, the radicals in question being either linear or branched with single or multiple branching.

Where the plural form is used for compounds, salts, and the like, this is taken to mean also a single compound, salt, or the like.

Double bonds in principle can have E- or Z-configuration. The compounds of this invention may therefore exist as isomeric mixtures or single isomers. If not specified both isomeric forms are intended.

Any asymmetric carbon atoms may be present in the (R)-, (S)- or (R,S)-configuration, preferably in the (R)- or (S)-configuration. The compounds may thus be present as mixtures of isomers or as pure isomers, preferably as enantiomer-pure diastereomers.

Alkyl (or bifunctional alkylene in a linker) has from 1 to 25, for example 1 to 12, preferably from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, and is linear or branched. Alkyl is preferably lower alkyl. Preferably, (bifunctional) alkylene has from 3 to 25, preferably from 4 to 12 carbon atoms.

Lower alkyl has 1 to 7, preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms and is butyl, such as n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, propyl, such as n-propyl or isopropyl, ethyl or methyl. Preferably lower alkyl is methyl or ethyl.

Cycloalkyl has preferably 3 to 7 ring carbon atoms, and may be unsubstituted or substituted, e.g. by lower alkyl or lower alkoxy. Cycloalkyl is, for example, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, methylcyclopentyl, or cyclopropyl, in particular cyclopropyl.

Aryl stands for a mono- or bicyclic fused ring aromatic group with 5 to 10 carbon atoms optionally carrying substituents, such as phenyl, 1-naphthyl or 2-naphthyl, or also a partially saturated bicyclic fused ring comprising a phenyl group, such as indanyl, indolinyl, dihydro- or tetrahydronaphthyl, all optionally substituted. Preferably, aryl is phenyl, indanyl, indolinyl or tetrahydronaphthyl, in particular phenyl.

The term “aryl carrying substituents” stands for aryl substituted by up to four substituents independently selected from lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, carboxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl-lower alkyl; arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl, wherein aryl or heteroaryl are unsubstituted or substituted by up to three substituents selected from lower alkyl, cyclopropyl, halo-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, hydroxysulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, tetrazolyl, carboxy, halogen, amino, cyano and nitro; hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, aryloxy-lower alkyl, heteroaryloxy-lower alkyl, aryl-lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, heteroaryl-lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-lower alkyl; aminoalkyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, alkoxy-lower alkyl and amino-lower alkyl, or by one substituent alkylcarbonyl or mercaptoalkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, amino-lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxycarbonyl and aminocarbonyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkinyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, halo-lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, cycloalkyl-lower alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl-lower alkoxy, aryloxy-lower alkoxy, heteroaryloxy, heteroaryl-lower alkoxy, heteroaryloxy-lower alkoxy, optionally substituted alkenyloxy, optionally substituted alkinyloxy, cycloalkyloxy, heterocyclyloxy, hydroxysulfonyloxy; alkylmercapto, hydroxysulfinyl, alkylsulfinyl, halo-lower alkylsulfinyl, hydroxysulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl; aminosulfonyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl and optionally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; amino optionally substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, di-lower alkylamino-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl and optionally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, or by one substituent optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, alkylcarbonyl, optionally substituted phenylcarbonyl, optionally substituted pyridylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl or aminocarbonyl, and wherein alkyl or lower alkyl in each case may be substituted by halogen, lower alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl or optionally substituted amino, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; carboxymethylamino or lower alkoxycarbonylmethylamino substituted at the methyl group such that the resulting substituent corresponds to one of the 20 naturally occurring standard amino acids, aminomethylcarbonylamino substituted at the methyl group such that the resulting acyl group corresponds to one of the 20 naturally occurring standard amino acids; lower alkylcarbonyl, halo-lower alkylcarbonyl, optionally substituted phenylcarbonyl, optionally substituted heteroarylcarbonyl, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxycarbonyl; aminocarbonyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one hydroxy or amino group or one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl and optionally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; cyano, halogen, and nitro; and wherein two substituents in ortho-position to each other can form a 5-, 6- or 7-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring containing one, two or three oxygen atoms, one or two nitrogen atoms and/or one sulfur atom, wherein the nitrogen atoms are optionally substituted by lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl or lower alkylcarbonyl.

In particular, the substituents may be independently selected from lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkinyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopropyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, halo-lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, phenoxy, hydroxysulfonyloxy; alkylmercapto, hydroxysulfinyl, alkylsulfinyl, halo-lower alkylsulfinyl, hydroxysulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl; aminosulfonyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl and optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; amino optionally substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, di-lower alkylamino-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, or by one substituent optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, alkylcarbonyl, optionally substituted phenylcarbonyl, optionally substituted pyridylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl or aminocarbonyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; carboxymethylamino or lower alkoxycarbonylmethylamino substituted at the methyl group such that the resulting substituent corresponds to one of the 20 naturally occurring standard amino acids, aminomethylcarbonylamino substituted at the methyl group such that the resulting acyl group corresponds to one of the 20 naturally occurring standard amino acids; lower alkylcarbonyl, halo-lower alkylcarbonyl, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxycarbonyl; aminocarbonyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one hydroxy or amino group or one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl and optionally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; cyano, halogen, and nitro; and wherein two substituents in ortho-position to each other can form a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring containing one or two oxygen atoms and/or one or two nitrogen atoms, wherein the nitrogen atoms are optionally substituted by lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl or lower alkylcarbonyl.

In optionally substituted phenyl, substituents are preferably lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, amino-lower alkyl, acylamino-lower alkyl, cyclopropyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, halo-lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, methylenedioxy, hydroxysulfonyloxy, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxylaminocarbonyl, tetrazolyl, hydroxysulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, halo, cyano or nitro, in particular lower alkoxy, amino-lower alkyl, acylamino-lower alkyl, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxylaminocarbonyl, tetrazolyl, or aminosulfonyl.

Heteroaryl represents an aromatic group containing at least one heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and is mono- or bicyclic, optionally carrying substituents. Monocyclic heteroaryl includes 5 or 6 membered heteroaryl groups containing 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen. Bicyclic heteroaryl includes 9 or 10 membered fused-ring heteroaryl groups. Examples of heteroaryl include pyrrolyl, thienyl, furyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, and benzo or pyridazo fused derivatives of such monocyclic heteroaryl groups, such as indolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuryl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, quinazolinyl, pyrrolopyridine, imidazopyridine, or purinyl, all optionally substituted. Preferably, heteroaryl is pyridyl, pyrimdinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, thienyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, triazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, pyrrolopyridine or imidazopyridine; in particular pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, triazolyl, indolyl, pyrrolopyridine or imidazopyridine.

The term “heteroaryl carrying substituents” stands for heteroaryl substituted by up to three substituents independently selected from lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, aryloxy-lower alkyl, heteroaryloxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-lower alkyl; aminoalkyl, wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, alkoxy-lower alkyl, amino-lower alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, amino-lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxycarbonyl and aminocarbonyl; optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkinyl, cycloalkyl; aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl, wherein aryl or heteroaryl are unsubstituted or substituted by up to three substituents selected from lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halogen, amino, cyano and nitro; hydroxy, lower alkoxy, halo-lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, cycloalkyl-lower alkoxy, aryloxy, aryl-lower alkoxy, heteroaryloxy, heteroaryl-lower alkoxy, alkenyloxy, alkinyloxy, alkylmercapto, alkylsulfinyl, halo-lower alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl and optionally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; amino optionally substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, di-lower alkylamino-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl or aminocarbonyl, and wherein alkyl or lower alkyl in each case may be substituted by halogen, lower alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl or optionally substituted amino, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; lower alkylcarbonyl, halo-lower alkylcarbonyl, optionally substituted phenylcarbonyl, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxycarbonyl; aminocarbonyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one hydroxy or amino group or one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl and optionally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; cyano, halogen, and nitro.

In particular, the substituents on heteroaryl may be independently selected from lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkinyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, alkenyloxy, alkinyloxy, alkylmercapto, alkylsulfinyl, halo-lower alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl and optionally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; amino optionally substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, di-lower alkylamino-lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl or aminocarbonyl, and wherein alkyl or lower alkyl in each case may be substituted by lower alkoxy or optionally substituted amino, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; lower alkylcarbonyl, halo-lower alkylcarbonyl, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxycarbonyl; aminocarbonyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one hydroxy or amino group or one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl or cycloalkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; cyano, halogen, and nitro.

In optionally substituted heteroaryl, substituents are preferably lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, halo-lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, methylenedioxy, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxylaminocarbonyl, tetrazolyl, aminosulfonyl, halo, cyano or nitro.

Alkenyl contains one or more, e.g. two or three, double bonds, and is preferably lower alkenyl, such as 1- or 2-butenyl, 1-propenyl, allyl or vinyl.

Alkinyl is preferably lower alkinyl, such as propargyl or acetylenyl.

In optionally substituted alkenyl or alkinyl, substituents are preferably lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halo, optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl, and are connected with a saturated or unsaturated carbon atom of alkenyl or alkinyl.

Heterocyclyl designates preferably a saturated, partially saturated or unsaturated, mono- or bicyclic ring containing 4-10 atoms comprising one, two or three heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, which may, unless otherwise specified, be carbon or nitrogen linked, wherein a ring nitrogen atom may optionally be substituted by a group selected from lower alkyl, amino-lower alkyl, aryl, aryl-lower alkyl and acyl, and a ring carbon atom may be substituted by lower alkyl, amino-lower alkyl, aryl, aryl-lower alkyl, heteroaryl, lower alkoxy, hydroxy or oxo, or which may be fused with an optionally substituted benzo ring. Substituents considered for substituted benzo are those mentioned above for optionally substituted aryl. Examples of heterocyclyl are pyrrolidinyl, oxazolidinyl, thiazolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, dioxolanyl, tetrahydro-furanyl and tetrahydropyranyl, and optionally substituted benzo fused derivatives of such monocyclic heterocyclyl, for example indolinyl, benzoxazolidinyl, benzothiazolidinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, and benzodihydrofuryl.

Acyl designates, for example, alkylcarbonyl, cycloalkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aryl-lower alkylcarbonyl, or heteroarylcarbonyl. Lower acyl is preferably lower alkylcarbonyl, in particular propionyl or acetyl.

Hydroxyalkyl is especially hydroxy-lower alkyl, preferably hydroxymethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl or 2-hydroxy-2-propyl.

Cyanoalkyl designates preferably cyanomethyl and cyanoethyl.

Haloalkyl is preferably fluoroalkyl, especially trifluoromethyl, 3,3,3-trifluoroethyl or pentafluoroethyl.

Halogen is fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine.

Lower alkoxy is especially methoxy, ethoxy, isopropyloxy, or tert-butyloxy.

Arylalkyl includes aryl and alkyl as defined hereinbefore, and is e.g. benzyl, 1-phenethyl or 2-phenethyl.

Heteroarylalkyl includes heteroaryl and alkyl as defined hereinbefore, and is e.g. 2-, 3- or 4-pyridylmethyl, 1- or 2-pyrrolylmethyl, 1-pyrazolylmethyl, 1-imidazolylmethyl, 2-(1-imidazolyl)ethyl or 3-(1-imidazolyl)propyl.

In substituted amino, the substituents are preferably those mentioned as substituents hereinbefore. In particular, substituted amino is alkylamino, dialkylamino, optionally substituted arylamino, optionally substituted arylalkylamino, lower alkylcarbonylamino, benzoylamino, pyridylcarbonylamino, lower alkoxycarbonylamino or optionally substituted aminocarbonylamino.

Particular salts considered are those replacing the hydrogen atoms of the sulfate group and the carboxylic acid function. Suitable cations are, e.g., sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium or ammonium cations, or also cations derived by protonation from primary, secondary or tertiary amines containing, for example, lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl or hydroxy-lower alkoxy-lower alkyl groups, e.g., 2-hydroxyethylammonium, 2-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)ethyldimethylammonium, diethylammonium, di(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium, trimethylammonium, triethylammonium, 2-hydroxyethyldimethylammonium, or di(2-hydroxyethyl)methylammonium, also from correspondingly substituted cyclic secondary and tertiary amines, e.g., N-methylpyrrolidinium, N-methylpiperidinium, N-methyl-morpholinium, N-2-hydroxyethylpyrrolidinium, N-2-hydroxyethylpiperidinium, or N-2-hydroxyethylmorpholinium, and the like.

In view of the close relationship between the novel compounds in free form and those in the form of their salts, including those salts that can be used as intermediates, for example in the purification or identification of the novel compounds, any reference to the free compounds hereinbefore and hereinafter is to be understood as referring also to the corresponding salts, and vice versa, as appropriate and expedient.

Preferably Z is unsubstituted or substituted phenyl.

In particular, the invention refers to compounds of formula (I) or (II), wherein Z is optionally substituted phenyl.

Preferred substituents considered for Z with the meaning of the mentioned aryl groups, e.g. phenyl, are lower alkyl, halo-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, amino-lower alkyl, lower alkanecarbonylamino-lower alkyl, mercapto-lower alkane-carbonylamino-lower alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkinyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopropyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, halo-lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxy, cycloalkyloxy, hydroxysulfonyloxy; mercapto, alkylmercapto, hydroxysulfinyl, alkylsulfinyl, halo-lower alkylsulfinyl, hydroxysulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl and optionally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; amino optionally substituted by one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl and di-lower alkylamino-lower alkyl, or by one substituent cycloalkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, alkylcarbonyl, optionally substituted phenylcarbonyl, optionally substituted pyridylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl or aminocarbonyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; carboxymethylamino or lower alkoxycarbonylmethylamino substituted at the methyl group such that the resulting substituent corresponds to one of the 20 naturally occurring standard amino acids, aminomethylcarbonylamino substituted at the methyl group such that the resulting acyl group corresponds to one of the 20 naturally occurring standard amino acids; lower alkylcarbonyl, halo-lower alkylcarbonyl, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkoxycarbonyl; aminocarbonyl wherein amino is unsubstituted or substituted by one hydroxy or amino group or one or two substituents selected from lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl-lower alkyl and optionally substituted heteroaryl-lower alkyl, or wherein the two substituents on nitrogen form together with the nitrogen heterocyclyl; cyano, halogen, and nitro; and wherein two substituents in ortho-position to each other can form a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring containing one or two oxygen atoms and/or one or two nitrogen atoms, wherein the nitrogen atoms are optionally substituted by lower alkyl, lower alkoxy-lower alkyl or lower alkylcarbonyl.

Particularly preferred Z is p-methoxyphenyl, 4-(2-aminoethyl)phenyl or 4-(2-(4-mercapto-butanoylamino)ethyl)phenyl.

In polymers comprising a multitude of substituents of formula (I) and/or formula (II), a particular linker Z is (bifunctional) aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-lower alkyl, arylcarbonyl, or heteroarylmethyl, wherein aryl or heteroaryl is substituted by —(CH₂)₂NH(C═O)(CH₂)₃S—CH₂—(C═O)— connecting to the polymer with aminoalkyl side chains at the C═O function.

More particularly linker Z is phenyl substituted by —(CH₂)₂NH(C═O)(CH₂)₃S—CH₂—(C═O)— connecting to the polymer with aminoalkyl side chains at the C═O function.

A preferred polymer in polymers comprising a multitude of substituents of formula (I) and/or formula (II) is polylysine, in particular poly-L-lysine.

Preferably the molecular weight of the polylysine is 1000 to 300′000 kD, preferably 10′000 to 100′000 kD. Particularly preferred is a molecular weight of approximately 50′000 kD, 125000 kD or 200000 kD. Most preferred is a molecular weight of approximately 50′000 kD.

In particular the invention relates to such polymers wherein the relative loading of polymer backbone with the disaccharide of formula (I) and/or (II) is 10-80%, meaning that 10-80% of all lysine side chains in the polymer are coupled/reacted with a linker carrying a disaccharide, the remaining amino functions being capped. Preferably the loading of the polymer is 30-60%, more preferably 40-50%.

In a particular embodiment, the sulfated minimal HNK-1 epitope 22 carrying a linker with a terminal sulfhydryl function was synthesized and reacted in a substochiometric amount with the activated (chloroacetylated) lysine polymer 24. The carbohydrate loading (40%) was determined by ¹H NMR. The starting polymer 23 had an average molecular weight (MW) of 50 kD, whereas the final polymer (25) with 40% minimal HNK-1 epitope loading had a calculated average MW of 123 kD.

The synthesized carbohydrate monomers (1 and 2) and the polymer 25 were tested in an established ELISA assay (Bühlmann Laboratories, Schönenbuch, Switzerland) applied for the diagnosis of anti-MAG neuropathy and for therapy control in clinic. The assay is used to determine serum concentration of anti-MAG IgM autoantibodies. The assay was modified to a competitive binding assay. The synthesized compounds and serum samples containing anti-MAG IgM antibodies are given into 96 well plates, coated with purified MAG from human brain. Immobilized MAG and the synthesized compounds compete for binding to the anti-MAG IgM antibodies. After a washing step MAG-bound IgM antibodies are detected with a horseradish peroxidase labeled antibody, followed by a colorimetric reaction. Successful competition of the compounds with MAG leads to a decrease in measured OD_(450 nm) (optical density), because they block the binding sites of IgM antibodies, preventing them from binding to MAG. The principle of the assay is depicted in FIG. 1. For the evaluation of the compounds, four sera from different patients (MK, DP, KH, SJ) with reported high anti-MAG IgM antibody titers were chosen. IgM antibody concentrations were determined for each serum in preliminary experiments. Serum dilutions with measured OD_(450 nm) values around 1.0 were chosen for the assay, to be able to compare the measured IC₅₀ values (half maximal inhibitory concentration) which are antibody concentration dependent. Serum dilutions: DP 1:2′500, KH 1:3′000, SJ 1:7′500, MK 1:23′000. The two sera that served as negative controls (dilution 1:1000) showed no binding to MAG.

IC₅₀ values of compound 1 were determined for all sera. Those of compound 2 were determined for serum MK with the highest antibody affinity for 1 and for serum SJ with the lowest antibody affinity for 1. The results are shown in the Table below. The assay was repeated four times. From the received binding curves for each serum, the three best fitted were chosen and normalized for IC₅₀ calculation. The binding curves are shown in FIG. 2. For curve generation of compound 2 an artificially high concentration point at 500 mM with 0% antibody binding was added because even at the highest concentration of 2 (50 mM) the inhibition of antibody binding was not 100%. The IC₅₀ values for compound 2 are therefore to be considered as approximated values, although they changed only marginally upon addition of the high concentration point. Under the same assay conditions the carbohydrate polymer was tested with the sera KH, MK and SJ. The measurements were repeated at least three times. The three best fitted curves for each serum were chosen for IC₅₀ calculation. The non-normalized binding curves are shown in FIG. 2.

TABLE IC₅₀ values of compounds 1, 2 and the minimal HNK-1 polymer (25) for the four patient sera including standard deviations. Compound 1 Compound 2 Polymer (25) Serum IC₅₀ (μM) IC₅₀ (mM) IC₅₀ (nM) MK 124.2 ± 9.5  29.0 ± 0.5  2.5 ± 0.1 DP 536.1 ± 23.5 n.d. n.d. KH 614.2 ± 20.1 n.d. 18.3 ± 2.2 SJ 793.1 ± 24.0 10.0 ± 1.0 14.8 ± 0.6

The data from the biological evaluation of 1 and 2 clearly show different affinities of the IgM antibodies of each serum to the synthesized disaccharides. Disaccharide 1 shows a superior binding affinity towards the IgM antibodies when compared to disaccharide 2, which lacks the sulfate moiety. The sulfate group seems to be essential to the synthesized minimal HNK-1 epitope for antibody binding. Nevertheless, it is not equally important for all sera. Serum MK showed high requirement for the sulfate with an approximately 230-fold weaker binding to the unsulfated disaccharide. Serum SJ on the other hand showed only 12.6-fold lower binding affinity to the unsulfated disaccharide. The carboxyl group of GlcA seems to be more important to this serum.

For all IgM antibodies, the sulfate moiety is required for binding in the μM range. It is surprising that the sulfated minimal HNK-1 epitope is capable of inhibiting the antibody binding to MAG in the μM concentration range. This suggests the possibility that the terminal aromatic moiety of the disaccharide is involved in binding, as if mimicking the third sugar (GlcNAc) of the HNK-1 epitope. The aromatic ring could undergo cation-π interaction or π-π stacking.

The causal relationship between anti-MAG autoantibodies and neuropathy development in anti-MAG neuropathy patients is widely accepted today (M. C. Dalakas, Current Treatment Options in Neurology 2010, 12:71-83). The antigenic determinant for these antibodies is the HNK-1 carbohydrate epitope, the trisaccharide SO₄-3-GlcA(β1-3)Gal(β1-4)GlcNAc—OH which is also recognized by the HNK-1 antibody.

According to the present invention it is shown that carbohydrate ligands blocking the IgM antibody binding sites prevent the antibody binding to MAG and other myelin targets.

It is shown that disaccharide ligands of formula (I) and (II), minimal HNK-1 carbohydrate epitopes, which are much easier to prepare than larger carbohydrates, retain affinity to the IgM antibodies, and are useful for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Compounds related to substance 1 and 2 are known in the state of the art, but not such compounds containing arylic aglycons. Aromatic residues Z take part in the binding process to the anti-MAG IgM antibodies and therefore bestow a substantial benefit on compounds such as (I) and/or (II) with arylic aglycons.

In the case of the sulfated structure (I) an ethylamine substituted derivative of a pentasaccharide is published (A. V. Kornilov, Carbohydrate Research 2000, 329:717-730). In the case of structure (II) the unsubstituted derivative (R═H) and derivatives with common alkyl residues are published. In addition to the presently claimed aryl substitution, such as para-methoxyphenyl, the approach to present this epitope in multiple copies on a suitable polymer is novel.

Natural carbohydrates generally display low binding affinity for their binding partners. In biological systems sufficient affinity is often achieved by multivalent presentation of carbohydrates, as well as oligovalent presentation of carbohydrate recognizing domains (CRDs) of carbohydrate binding proteins (B. Ernst and J. L. Magnani, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 2009, 8:661-677). This is also the case for the binding of IgM antibodies to MAG: MAG presents up to eight HNK-1 epitopes on its extracellular domains.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the invention relates to polymers comprising a multitude of substituents of formula (I) and/or formula (II), wherein the polymer is poly-L-lysine and Z is a bifunctional linker connecting said substituent to the polymer backbone.

Poly-L-lysine is biodegradable and therefore suitable for therapeutical application. The exemplified minimal HNK-1 polymer shows a massive increase in binding affinity toward the pathogenic IgM antibodies. The inhibitory activity, now being in the low nM range, is increased by a factor of at least 34′000 compared to the monomer (serum KH). The affinity increase obtained for serum MK and SJ was approximately 50′000 (see table above). These findings clearly indicate the multivalent nature of the antigen-antibody interaction.

The exemplified minimal HNK-1 polymer serves as substitute antigen for purified human brain MAG currently used in a diagnostic ELISA assay for the detection of anti-MAG IgM antibodies.

The compounds of the invention have valuable pharmacological properties. The invention also relates to compounds as defined hereinbefore for use as medicaments. A compound according to the invention shows prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy especially against anti-MAG neuropathy.

A compound of formula (I) or (II), or polymers comprising these, can be administered alone or in combination with one or more other therapeutic agents, possible combination therapy taking the form of fixed combinations, or the administration of a compound of the invention and one or more other therapeutic agents being staggered or given independently of one another, or the combined administration of fixed combinations and one or more other therapeutic agents.

Therapeutic agents for possible combination are especially immunosuppressive agents. Examples are purine analogues such as fludarabine and/or cladribine, furthermore the chimeric monoclonal antibody rituximab (A. J. Steck et al., Current Opinion in Neurology 2006, 19:458-463).

In another particular embodiment, the invention relates to the use of the compounds of the invention in a diagnostic assay for anti-MAG neuropathy. In particular, the invention relates to kits comprising the compounds of formula (I) or (II) as defined above, and also polymers of the invention comprising such compounds as substituents.

The present invention relates to a method of diagnosis of anti-MAG neuropathy, wherein the level of IgM against MAG is determined in a body fluid sample, e.g. serum, and a high level is indicative of the development and the severity of anti-MAG neuropathy.

Other body fluids than serum useful for determination of IgM against MAG are, e.g., whole blood, cerebrospinal fluid or extract from solid tissue.

Any known method may be used for the determination of the level of IgM against MAG in body fluids. Methods considered are, e.g., ELISA, RIA, EIA, or microarray analysis.

A preferred method for the determination of IgM against MAG in human body fluids, e.g. in serum, is an ELISA. In such an embodiment, microtiter plates are coated with compounds of formula (I) or (II), or preferably polymers of the invention comprising such compounds as substituents. The plates are then blocked and the sample or a standard solution is loaded. After incubation, an anti-IgM antibody is applied, e.g. an anti-IgM antibody directly conjugated with a suitable label, e.g. with an enzyme for chromogenic detection. Alternatively, a polyclonal rabbit (or mouse) anti-IgM antibody is added. A second antibody detecting the particular type of the anti-IgM antibody, e.g. an anti-rabbit (or anti-mouse) antibody, conjugated with a suitable label, e.g. the enzyme for chromogenic detection as above, is then added. Finally the plate is developed with a substrate for the label in order to detect and quantify the label, being a measure for the presence and amount of IgM against MAG. If the label is an enzyme for chromogenic detection, the substrate is a colour-generating substrate of the conjugated enzyme. The colour reaction is then detected in a microplate reader and compared to standards.

It is also possible to use antibody fragments. Suitable labels are chromogenic labels, i.e. enzymes which can be used to convert a substrate to a detectable colored or fluorescent compound, spectroscopic labels, e.g. fluorescent labels or labels presenting a visible color, affinity labels which may be developed by a further compound specific for the label and allowing easy detection and quantification, or any other label used in standard ELISA.

Other preferred methods of IgM against MAG detection are radioimmunoassay or competitive immunoassay and chemiluminescence detection on automated commercial analytical robots. Microparticle enhanced fluorescence, fluorescence polarized methodologies, or mass spectrometry may also be used. Detection devices, e.g. microarrays, are useful components as readout systems for IgM against MAG.

In a further embodiment the invention relates to a kit suitable for an assay as described above, in particular an ELISA, comprising compounds of formula (I) or (II), or polymers comprising such compounds as substituents. The kits further contain anti-IgM antibodies (or anti-IgM antibody fragments) carrying a suitable label, or anti-IgM antibodies and second antibodies carrying such a suitable label, and reagents or equipment to detect the label, e.g. reagents reacting with enzymes used as labels and indicating the presence of such a label by a colour formation or fluorescence, standard equipment, such as microtiter plates, pipettes and the like, standard solutions and wash solutions.

The ELISA can be also designed in a way that patient blood or serum samples are used for the coating of microtiter plates with the subsequent detection of anti-MAG antibodies with labelled compounds of formula (I) or (II), or labelled polymers comprising such compounds as substituents. The label is either directly detectable or indirectly detectable via an antibody.

The polymer carrying compounds of formula (I) or (II) of the invention binds to the pathogenic anti-MAG IgM antibodies and potentially downregulates the anti-MAG IgM antibody production. It allows an antigen-specific treatment for anti-MAG neuropathy patients.

Furthermore the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I) or (II), or a polymer carrying compounds of formula (I) or (II) of the invention.

Pharmaceutical compositions for parenteral administration, such as subcutaneous, intravenous, intrahepatic or intramuscular administration, to warm-blooded animals, especially humans, are considered. The compositions comprise the active ingredient(s) alone or, preferably, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The dosage of the active ingredient(s) depends upon the age, weight, and individual condition of the patient, the individual pharmacokinetic data, and the mode of administration.

For parenteral administration preference is given to the use of suspensions or dispersions of the carbohydrate polymer of the invention, especially isotonic aqueous dispersions or suspensions which, for example, can be made up shortly before use. The pharmaceutical compositions may be sterilized and/or may comprise excipients, for example preservatives, stabilizers, wetting agents and/or emulsifiers, solubilizers, viscosity-increasing agents, salts for regulating osmotic pressure and/or buffers and are prepared in a manner known per se, for example by means of conventional dissolving and lyophilizing processes.

Suitable carriers for enteral administration, such as nasal, buccal, rectal or oral administration, are especially fillers, such as sugars, for example lactose, saccharose, mannitol or sorbitol, cellulose preparations, and/or calcium phosphates, for example tricalcium phosphate or calcium hydrogen phosphate, and also binders, such as starches, for example corn, wheat, rice or potato starch, methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone, and/or, if desired, disintegrators, such as the above-mentioned starches, also carboxymethyl starch, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, alginic acid or a salt thereof, such as sodium alginate. Additional excipients are especially flow conditioners and lubricants, for example silicic acid, talc, stearic acid or salts thereof, such as magnesium or calcium stearate, and/or polyethylene glycol, or derivatives thereof.

Tablet cores can be provided with suitable, optionally enteric, coatings through the use of, inter alia, concentrated sugar solutions which may comprise gum arabic, talc, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol and/or titanium dioxide, or coating solutions in suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures, or, for the preparation of enteric coatings, solutions of suitable cellulose preparations, such as acetylcellulose phthalate or hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose phthalate. Dyes or pigments may be added to the tablets or tablet coatings, for example for identification purposes or to indicate different doses of active ingredient(s).

Pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration also include hard capsules consisting of gelatin, and also soft, sealed capsules consisting of gelatin and a plasticizer, such as glycerol or sorbitol. The hard capsules may contain the active ingredient in the form of granules, for example in admixture with fillers, such as corn starch, binders, and/or glidants, such as talc or magnesium stearate, and optionally stabilizers. In soft capsules, the active ingredient is preferably dissolved or suspended in suitable liquid excipients, such as fatty oils, paraffin oil or liquid polyethylene glycols or fatty acid esters of ethylene or propylene glycol, to which stabilizers and detergents, for example of the polyoxy-ethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester type, may also be added.

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for rectal administration are, for example, suppositories that consist of a combination of the active ingredient and a suppository base. Suitable suppository bases are, for example, natural or synthetic triglycerides, paraffin hydrocarbons, polyethylene glycols or higher alkanols.

The mentioned pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention may contain separate tablets, granules or other forms of orally acceptable formulation of the active ingredients, or may contain a mixture of active ingredients in one suitable pharmaceutical dosage form, as described above. In particular the separate orally acceptable formulations or the mixture in one suitable pharmaceutical dosage form may be slow release and controlled release pharmaceutical compositions.

The pharmaceutical compositions comprise from approximately 1% to approximately 95% active ingredient or mixture of active ingredients, single-dose administration forms comprising in the preferred embodiment from approximately 20% to approximately 90% active ingredient(s) and forms that are not of single-dose type comprising in the preferred embodiment from approximately 5% to approximately 20% active ingredient(s).

The invention also relates to the mentioned pharmaceutical compositions as medicaments in the treatment of anti-MAG neuropathy.

The present invention relates furthermore to a method of treatment of anti-MAG neuropathy, which comprises administering a composition according to the invention in a quantity effective against said disease, to a warm-blooded animal requiring such treatment. The pharmaceutical compositions can be administered prophylactically or therapeutically, preferably in an amount effective against the said diseases, to a warm-blooded animal, for example a human, requiring such treatment. In the case of an individual having a bodyweight of about 70 kg the daily dose administered is from approximately 0.01 g to approximately 5 g, preferably from approximately 0.25 g to approximately 1.5 g, of the active ingredients in a composition of the present invention.

The following Examples serve to illustrate the invention without limiting the invention in its scope.

Examples

General Methods

NMR spectra were obtained on a Bruker Avance DMX-500 (500 MHz) spectrometer. Assignment of ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra was achieved using 2D methods (COSY and HSQC). Chemical shifts are expressed in ppm using residual CHCl₃, CHD₂OD or HDO as references. Optical rotations were measured on a Perkin-Elmer polarimeter 341. IR spectra were recorded using a Perkin-Elmer Spectrum One FT-IR spectrometer. Electron spray ionization mass spectra (ESI-MS) were obtained on a Waters micromass ZQ. HRMS analysis was carried using an Agilent 1100 LC equipped with a photodiode array detector and a Micromass QTOF I equipped with a 4 GHz digital-time converter. Reactions were monitored by TLC using glass plates coated with silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ (Merck) and visualized by using UV light and/or by charring with mostain (a 0.02 M solution of ammonium cerium sulfate dihydrate and ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate in aq 10% H₂SO₄). Column chromatography was performed on silica gel (Fluka C60 40/60) or RP-18 (Merck LiChroprep® RP-18 40/60). Methanol (MeOH) was dried by refluxing with sodium methoxide and distillation. Pyridine was dried over activated molecular sieves (4 Å). Dimethylformamide (DMF) was purchased from Acros (99.8%, extra dry, over molecular sieves). Dichloromethane (DCM), toluene and hexane were dried by filtration over Al₂O₃ (Fluka, type 5016A basic). Molecular sieves (4 Å) were activated in vacuo at 500° C. for 1 h immediately before use. Centrifugations were carried out with an Eppendorf Centrifuge 5804 R. rt=room temperature.

The three compounds for the biological evaluation (1, 2 and 25) were synthesized according to Scheme 1 and 2. All reagents were bought from Sigma Aldrich or Acros. The GlcA-Gal disaccharides 5 were obtained by reacting the activated GlcA donor 3 (C. Coutant and J.-C. Jacquinet, J Chem Soc Perkin Trans I, 1995, 1573-1581) and the selectively protected Gal acceptor 4 (F. Belot et al., Synlett 2003, 1315-1318) with trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) as promoter. Deprotection of the ester groups with LiOH in tetrahydrofuran (THF)/water (H₂O) yielded 6. Disaccharides 2 were obtained by catalytic hydrogenation. The 3′-unprotected disaccharides 7 were synthesized via a lactonization/methanolysis procedure published by A. V. Kornilov (Carbohydrate Research 2000, 329:717-730). Subsequent sulfation with the sulfate-pyridine complex (SO₃.Py) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) gave 3-O-sulfated disaccharide 8 (65%). Final deprotection by catalytic hydrogenation followed by hydrolysis and treatment with Na⁺ cation-exchange resin afforded the desired sulfated disaccharides 1.

For the synthesis of the carbohydrate polymer 25, the sulfated monomer 21 was prepared (Scheme 1). It contains a 4-(2-aminoethyl)phenyl aglycone instead of para-methoxyphenyl present in 1. The additional primary amino group was required for the coupling to the polylysine polymer. For its synthesis, 4-(2-azidoethyl)phenol (9) was galactosylated with the trichloroacetimidate donor 10 (R. Burkowski et al., Eur J Org Chem 2001, 2697-2705). Acceptor 9 was obtained by amine-azide interconversion (A. Titz et al., Tet. Letters 2006, 47:2383-2385) from tyrosine. Deacetylation under Zempén conditions (giving 12), followed by the formation of the 3,4-isopropylidene derivative 13, dibenzylation (results in 14), acid-catalyzed cleavage of the acetonide (gives 15) and mono-benzoylation yielded galactoside 16. For the remaining steps to the monosulfated disaccharide 21 a similar reaction sequence as already applied for the synthesis of disaccharide 1 was applied, except for the benzylation which was carried out under phase transfer catalysis using 50% aqueous NaOH/DCM and 18-crown-6 ether. The free amino group in 21 was then reacted with thiobutyrolactone and triethylamine (TEA) in DMF to give compound 22 in 59% yield, ready for coupling to the polylysine polymer.

For this purpose, the commercial polylysine polymer 23 was acylated, giving 24 in 96% yield (G. Thoma et al., J Am Chem Soc 1999, 121:5919-5929) before it was coupled to a substochiometric amount of the minimal HNK-1 epitope 22 (0.4 eq). To improve the water solubility of the glycosylated polylysine polymer, the remaining chloroacetamide groups were capped with an excess of thioglycerol. Purification by ultrafiltration (Sartorius Stedim Vivaspin 6, molecular weight cutoff, 5000) yielded glycopolymer 25 in 70% yield.

4-Methoxyphenyl (methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-β-D-glucopyranuronate)-(1→3)-4-O-benzoyl-2,6-di-O-benzyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (5)

Under argon 3 (1.12 g, 1.68 mmol), 4a (800 mg, 1.40 mmol) and activated 4 Å molecular sieves (1.2 g) were suspended in DCM (30 mL). The mixture was stirred for 1 h at rt and then cooled to 0° C. TMSOTf (38.1 μL, 0.21 mmol) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to rt overnight, and was then neutralized with TEA (100 μL) and concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography (petroleum ether/EtOAc, 9:1 to 7:3) to yield 5 (1.21 g, 1.13 mmol, 81%) as a white solid.

[α]_(D) ²⁰ +28.4 (c 1.01, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 3.59 (dd, J=7.2, 10.1 Hz, 1H, H-6a), 3.65 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.69 (dd, J=4.8, 10.1 Hz, 1H, H-6b), 3.74 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.93 (dd, J=7.8, 9.5 Hz, 1H, H-2), 3.96 (dd, J=5.1, 6.9 Hz, 1H, H-5), 4.12 (d, J=9.8 Hz, 1H, H-5′), 4.20 (dd, J=3.5, 9.6 Hz, 1H, H-3), 4.46 (A, B of AB, J=11.5 Hz, 2H, CH₂Ph), 4.51, 4.90 (A, B of AB, J=10.5 Hz, 2H, CH₂Ph), 4.94 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H, H-1), 5.36 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H, H-1′), 5.44 (dd, J=7.5, 9.2 Hz, 1H, H-2′), 5.66 (t, J=9.6 Hz, 1H, H-4), 5.72-5.79 (m, 2H, H-3′, H-4′), 6.76, 7.00 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=9.1 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄), 7.19-7.44, 7.47-7.51, 7.54-7.61, 7.75-7.78, 7.87-7.91, 8.03-8.08 (m, 30H, 6C₆H₅); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 52.88, 55.64 (2OMe), 69.07 (C-6), 70.01 (C-4), 70.05 (C-4′), 71.76 (C-2′), 72.17 (C-3′), 72.90 (C-5′), 73.54 (C-5), 73.72, 75.23 (2CH₂Ph), 76.16 (C-3), 79.86 (C-2), 100.29 (C-1′), 102.73 (C-1), 114.57, 118.19 (4C, C₆H₄), 127.69, 127.78, 128.00, 128.09, 128.30, 128.37, 128.43, 128.59, 128.71, 128.89, 129.05, 129.58, 129.77, 129.82, 129.92, 130.11, 132.91, 133.08, 133.27, 133.39, 137.88, 137.90 (36C, 6C₆H₅), 151.33, 155.33 (2C, C₆H₄), 164.45, 165.00, 165.52, 165.63, 167.15 (5CO); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C₆₂H₅₆NaO₁₇ [M+Na]⁺: 1095.35, found: 1095.48.

4-Methoxyphenyl (β-D-glucopyranuronate)-(1→3)-2,6-di-O-benzyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (6)

Compound 5 (810 mg, 0.76 mmol) was suspended in THF (7 mL) and the suspension was cooled to −10° C. Then 2 M aq LiOH (5 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight and allowed to warm to rt. The solvents were evaporated, the residue was taken up in THF/H₂O (2:3, 8 mL) and treated with TFA (4 mL) for 30 min. The mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue was purified by reversed-phase chromatography (RP-18, MeOH/water, 0:1 to 2:1) to give 6 (0.47 g, 0.73 mmol, 97%) as a white solid.

[α]_(D) ²⁰ −43.2 (c 1.00, MeOH); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 3.30-3.41 (m, 2H, H-2′, H-3′), 3.49 (t, J=8.9 Hz, 1H, H-4′), 3.66 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.68 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 2H, H-6a, H-6b), 3.72 (d, J=9.7 Hz, 1H, H-5′), 3.76 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 1H, H-5), 3.79 (dd, J=3.3, 9.9 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.87 (m, 1H, H-2), 4.00 (d, J=2.7 Hz, 1H, H-4), 4.48 (s, 2H, CH₂Ph), 4.70 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 1H, H-1′), 4.84 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H, H-1), 4.87 (s, 2H, CH₂Ph), 6.73, 6.97 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=9.0 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄), 7.17-7.28 (m, 8H, 2C₆H₅), 7.38 (d, J=7.1 Hz, 2H, 2C₆H₅); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 56.10 (OMe), 70.37 (C-4), 70.72 (C-6), 73.35 (C-4′), 74.37 (CH₂Ph), 74.85 (C-2′), 75.00 (C-5), 76.22 (C-5′), 76.46 (CH₂Ph), 77.35 (C-3′), 80.11 (C-2), 82.20 (C-3), 103.87 (C-1), 105.59 (C-1′), 115.58, 119.23 (4C, C₆H₄), 128.66, 128.76, 128.79, 129.31, 129.41, 129.77, 139.76, 139.96 (12C, 2C₆H₅), 153.05, 156.67 (2C, C₆H₄), 173.01 (CO); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C₃₃H₃₈NaO₁₃ [M+Na]⁺: 665.23, found: 665.23.

4-Methoxyphenyl (sodium β-D-glucopyranuronate)-(1→3)-β-D-galactopyranoside (2)

Compound 6 (205 mg, 0.31 mmol) and Pd(OH)₂/C (42 mg, 20%) were suspended in MeOH/H₂O (10:1, 5 mL) under argon. The mixture was stirred overnight under an atmosphere of hydrogen (1 atm), then the catalyst was filtered off through a pad of Celite. The Celite was washed with a MeOH/H₂O gradient (6×10 mL, 10:0, 8:2, 6:4, 4:6, 2:8, 0:10). The filtrate was concentrated and passed over a Dowex® 50×8 (Na⁺) ion-exchange column. After concentration the residue was purified by reversed-phase chromatography (RP-18, water) followed by P2 size-exclusion chromatography to give 2 (148 mg, 0.31 mmol, 96%) as a white solid.

[α]_(D) ²⁰ −40.7 (c 1.00, H₂O); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, D₂O): δ 3.43 (t, J=8.3 Hz, 1H, H-2′), 3.48-3.56 (m, 2H, H-3′, H-5′), 3.67-3.81 (m, 7H, H-5, H-6, H-4′, OMe), 3.83 (dd, J=2.9, 9.8 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.90 (dd, J=8.0 Hz, 1H, H-2), 4.22 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H, H-4), 4.68 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H, H-1′), 4.95 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H, H-1), 6.94, 7.09 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=9.0 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, D₂O): δ55.71 (OMe), 60.70 (C-6), 67.94 (C-4), 69.63 (C-2), 71.73 (C-3′), 73.09 (C-2′), 75.05 (C-5′), 75.25 (C-5), 76.18 (C-4′), 82.37 (C-3), 101.29 (C-1), 103.61 (C-1′), 114.96, 118.10, 150.84, 154.61 (6C, C₆H₄), 175.92 (CO); HRMS: m/z: calcd for C₁₆H₂₆NaO₁₃ [M+H]⁺: 485.1271, found: 485.1276.

4-Methoxyphenyl (methyl 2,4-di-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranuronate)-(1→3)-4-O-acetyl-2,6-di-O-benzyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (7)

A solution of 6 (470 mg, 0.73 mmol) in Ac₂O (10 mL) was stirred at 80° C. for 90 min and then cooled to rt. Pyridine (6 mL) and DMAP (15 mg) were added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 3 days. The solvents were co-evaporated with toluene (5×5 mL). The residue dissolved in DCM (50 mL) and extracted with brine (50 mL) and water (50 mL). The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄ and filtered through cotton wool. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was dissolved in dry MeOH (14 mL) and anhydrous NaOAc (90 mg) was added. The mixture was stirred overnight, neutralized with Amberlyste® 15 (H⁺) ion-exchange resin and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated and the residue purified by flash chromatography (petroleum ether/EtOAc, 2:1 to 1:1) to yield 7 (334 mg, 0.43 mmol, 57%) as a yellowish solid.

[α]_(D) ²⁰ +34.3 (c 1.00, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.92, 2.01, 2.04 (3s, 9H, 3 OAc), 3.48 (dd, J=7.1, 10.1 Hz, 1H, H-6a), 3.55 (dd, J=4.8, 10.1 Hz, 1H, H-6b), 3.60 (m, 1H, H-3′), 3.66, 3.69 (2s, 6H, 2 OMe), 3.77 (dd, J=5.4, 7.0 Hz, 1H, H-5), 3.80 (d, J=9.8 Hz, 1H, H-5′), 3.83 (dd, J=7.6, 9.7 Hz, 1H, H-2), 3.89 (dd, J=3.5, 9.7 Hz, 1H, H-3), 4.43 (A, B of AB, J=11.6 Hz, 2H, CH₂Ph), 4.64 (A of AB, J=11.5 Hz, 1H, CH₂Ph), 4.81 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H, H-1), 4.83-4.87 (m, H-1′, H-2′), 4.97 (B of AB, J=11.5 Hz, 1H, CH₂Ph), 5.06 (t, J=9.5 Hz, 1H, H-4′), 5.36 (d, J=3.2 Hz, 1H, H-4), 6.72, 6.96 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=9.1 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄), 7.18-7.31 (m, 10H, 2C₆H₅); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 20.72, 20.76, 20.80 (3COCH₃), 52.81, 55.63 (2OMe), 68.95 (C-6), 69.33 (C-4), 71.87 (C-4′), 72.54 (C-5), 73.04 (C-5′), 73.26 (C-3′), 73.70 (CH₂Ph), 73.79 (C-2′), 75.31 (CH₂Ph), 77.24 (C-3), 79.26 (C-2), 100.15 (C-1′), 102.65 (C-1), 114.56, 118.24 (4C, C₆H₄), 127.76, 127.83, 127.98, 128.04, 128.41, 128.53, 137.87, 138.00 (12C, 2C₆H₅), 151.35, 155.35 (2C, C₆H₄), 167.46, 170.15, 170.36, 170.38 (4CO); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C₄₀H₄₆NaO₁₆ [M+Na]⁺: 805.28, found: 805.34.

4-Methoxyphenyl (methyl 2,4-di-O-acetyl-3-O-sulfo-β-D-glucopyranuronate)-(1→3)-4-O-acetyl-2,6-di-O-benzyl-β-D-galactopyranoside, sodium salt (8)

Compound 7 (334 mg, 0.43 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (5 mL) and SO₃Py (370 mg, 2.34 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred for 2 h at rt, then the reaction was quenched by stirring with NaHCO₃ (320 mg, 3.77 mmol) for 2 h. The solid was filtered off and the filter was washed with MeOH. The filtrate was passed over a Dowex® 50×8 (Na⁺) ion-exchange column, concentrated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (DCM/MeOH, 1:0 to 9:1) to give 8 (237 mg, 0.28 mmol, 65%) as a yellowish solid. During concentration after the flash chromatography a few drops of 0.1 M aq NaOH were added.

[α]_(D) ²⁰ −10.4 (c 1.01, MeOH); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 1.89, 2.03, 2.06 (3s, 9H, 3OAc), 3.48 (dd, J=7.4, 10.4 Hz, 1H, H-6a), 3.59 (dd, J=4.4, 10.5 Hz, 1H, H-6b), 3.69, 3.72 (2s, 6H, 2OMe), 3.77 (dd, J=7.8, 9.6 Hz, 1H, H-2), 3.98 (dd, J=4.5, 7.4 Hz, 1H, H-5), 4.03 (m, 1H, H-3), 4.05 (d, J=10.2 Hz, 1H, H-5′), 4.46, 4.49 (A, B of AB, J=11.6 Hz, 2H, CH₂Ph), 4.60 (t, J=9.3 Hz, 1H, H-3′), 4.73, 4.92 (A, B of AB, J=11.8 Hz, 2H, CH₂Ph), 4.94 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H, H-2′), 4.96 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H, H-1′), 4.99 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H, H-1), 5.06 (m, 1H, H-4′), 5.40 (d, J=3.6 Hz, 1H, H-4), 6.77, 7.00 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=9.1 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄), 7.23-7.35 (m, 8H, 2C₆H₅), 7.39 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 2H, 2C₆H₅); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 19.32, 19.23, 19.64 (3COCH₃), 51.68, 54.52 (2OMe), 68.73 (C-6), 69.50 (C-4), 69.80 (C-4′), 71.36 (C-2′), 71.91 (C-5′), 72.52 (C-5), 72.83, 74.69 (2CH₂Ph), 77.50 (C-3′), 78.57 (C-3), 78.59 (C-2), 100.04 (C-1), 102.01 (C-1′), 114.03, 117.64 (4C, C₆H₄), 127.14, 127.23, 127.36, 127.57, 127.81, 127.89, 138.02, 138.23 (12C, 2C₆H₅), 151.29, 155.26 (2C, C₆H₄), 167.77, 170.07, 170.17, 170.64 (4CO); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C₄₀H₄₆O₁₉S [M]⁺: 862.24, found: 862.42.

4-Methoxyphenyl (disodium-3-O-sulfo-β-D-glucopyranuronate)-(1→3)-β-D-galactopyranoside (1)

Compound 8 (237 mg, 0.28 mmol) and Pd(OH)₂/C (48 mg, 20%) were suspended in MeOH/H₂O (10:1, 5 mL) under argon. The reaction mixture was stirred for 9 h under an atmosphere of hydrogen (1 atm). The catalyst was filtered off through a pad of Celite and the pad was washed with a MeOH/H₂O gradient (6×10 mL, 10:0, 8:2, 6:4, 4:6, 2:8, 0:10). The filtrate was concentrated and the residue was dissolved in MeOH/H₂O (1:1, 8 mL). Then 1 M aq LiOH (6.5 mL) was added at −10° C. and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to rt over 3 h, neutralized with Amberlyste® 15 (H⁺) ion-exchange resin, filtered and concentrated. The residue was purified by reversed-phase chromatography (RP-18, water) and passed over a Dowex® 50×8 (Na⁺) ion-exchange column. Final purification by P2 size-exclusion chromatography yielded 1 (142 mg, 0.24 mmol, 88%) as a solid.

[α]_(D) ²⁰ −19.2 (c 1.00, H₂O); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, D₂O): δ3.63 (dd, J=8.0, 9.2 Hz, 1H, H-2′), 3.73 (m, 1H, H-4′), 3.75-3.81 (m, 6H, H-5, H-6, OMe), 3.85 (d, J=10.0 Hz, 1H, H-5′), 3.89 (dd, J=3.2, 9.9 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.94 (dd, J=7.7, 9.8 Hz, 1H, H-2), 4.24 (d, J=3.1 Hz, 1H, H-4), 4.40 (t, J=9.2 Hz, 1H, H-3′), 4.81 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H, H-1′), 4.97 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H, H-1), 6.96, 7.11 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=9.2 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, D₂O): δ 55.82 (OMe), 60.62 (C-6), 67.95 (C-4), 69.55 (C-2), 70.42 (C-4′), 71.86 (C-2′), 74.92 (C-5), 75.82 (C-5′), 82.49 (C-3), 83.30 (C-3′), 101.43 (C-1), 103.17 (C-1′), 115.02, 118.14, 150.89, 154.59 (6C, C₆H₄), 175.48 (CO); HRMS: m/z: calcd for C₁₉H₂₅Na₂O₁₆S [M+H]: 587.0659, found: 587.0665.

4-(2-Azidoethyl)phenol (9)

Tyramine (3.43 g, 25.0 mmol), NaHCO₃ (7.80 g, 92.8 mmol) and CuSO₄.5H₂O (0.22 g, 0.9 mmol) were dissolved in water (30 mL). Triflic azide stock solution (40 mL), which was prepared according to Titz A. et al., Tetrahedron Letters 47:2383-2385 (2006), and MeOH (190 mL) were added to give a homogeneous mixture. The mixture was stirred at rt overnight, then diluted with water (150 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (3×150 mL). The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄ and the solvents were evaporated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (petroleum ether/EtOAc, 1:0 to 4:1) to yield 9 (quant.) as colorless oil.

¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 2.81 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃), 3.44 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃), 6.77, 7.07 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=8.5 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): 534.50 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 52.72 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 115.53, 129.96, 130.22, 154.39 (6C, C₆H₄); IR (film): 2105 cm⁻¹ (N₃).

4-(2-Azidoethyl)phenyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (11)

To an ice-cooled suspension of 10 (8.30 g, 17.5 mmol) (Bukowski R et al., European Journal of Organic Chemistry 2001:2697-2705) and 4 Å molecular sieves (3 g) in DCM (40 mL) was added 9 (4.00 g, 24.5 mmol) in DCM (40 mL) under argon. TfOH (0.45 mL, 2.5 mmol) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to rt overnight. After quenching with TEA (0.8 mL) the suspension was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (petroleum ether/EtOAc, 9:1 to 3:2) to yield 11 (4.58 g, 9.28 mmol, 53%) as oil.

[α]_(D) ²⁰ +6.1 (c 1.10, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): (δ 1.98, 2.02, 2.06, 2.15 (4s, 12H, 4 OAc), 2.82 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃), 3.45 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃), 4.02 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 1H, H-5), 4.13 (dd, J=6.3, 11.3 Hz, 1H, H-6a), 4.20 (dd, J=6.9, 11.2 Hz, 1H, H-6b), 4.99 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H, H-1), 5.08 (dd, J=3.4, 10.5 Hz, 1H, H-3), 5.40-5.48 (m, 2H, H-2, H-4), 6.93, 7.12 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=8.6 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 20.58, 20.65, 20.65, 20.73 (4COCH₃), 34.52 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 52.51 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 61.36 (C-6), 66.89 (C-4), 68.67 (C-2), 70.85 (C-3), 71.01 (C-5), 99.78 (C-1), 117.19, 129.87, 133.01, 155.85 (6C, C₆H₄), 169.40, 170.13, 170.26, 170.36 (4CO); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C₂₂H₂₇N₃NaO₁₀ [M+Na]⁺: 516.17, found: 516.19; IR (film): 2101 cm⁻¹ (N₃).

4-(2-Azidoethyl)phenyl β-D-galactopyranoside (12)

A solution of 11 (4.58 g, 9.28 mmol) in MeOH (45 mL) was treated with 1 M NaOMe/MeOH (4.5 mL) under argon overnight. After neutralization with Amberlite® IR-120 (H⁺) ion-exchange resin, the solvent was evaporated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (DCM/MeOH, 1:0 to 4:1) to give 12 (2.86 g, 8.79 mmol, 95%) as an oil.

[α]_(D) ²⁰ −38.1 (c 1.00, MeOH); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 2.85 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 2H, CH₂OH₂N₃), 3.49 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 2H, CH₂OH₂N₃), 3.60 (dd, J=3.4, 9.7 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.70 (m, 1H, H-5), 3.75-3.85 (m, 3H, H-2, H-6), 3.93 (d, J=3.2 Hz, 1H, H-4), 4.86 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H, H-1), 7.09, 7.20 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=8.6 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 35.49 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 53.75 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 62.44 (C-6), 70.25 (C-4), 72.34 (C-2), 74.89 (C-3), 76.96 (C-5), 103.11 (C-1), 118.00, 130.82, 133.65, 158.08 (6C, C₆H₄); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C₁₄H₁₉N₃NaO₆ [M+Na]⁺: 348.13, found: 348.04; IR (film): 2112 cm⁻¹ (N₃).

4-(2-Azidoethyl)phenyl 3,4-isopropylidene-β-D-galactopyranoside (13)

To a solution of 12 (2.86 g, 8.79 mmol) in DMF (30 mL) were added 2,2-dimethoxy-propane (2.50 mL, 19.3 mmol) and p-TsOH (37 mg) under argon. After stirring overnight at 80° C., the reaction mixture was neutralized with TEA (0.5 mL) and the solvents were evaporated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (petroleum ether+0.5% TEA/EtOAc, 1:2 to 0:1) to yield 13 (2.39 g, 6.55 mmol, 75%) as an oil.

[α]_(D) ²⁰ −22.4 (c 1.10, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.34, 1.53 (2s, 6H, Me₂C), 2.42 (s, 2H, 2 OH), 2.81 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃), 3.44 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃), 3.78-3.85 (m, 2H, H-2, H-6a), 3.93-4.00 (m, 2H, H-6b, H-5), 4.14-4.21 (m, 2H, H-3, H-4), 4.78 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H, H-1), 6.95, 7.12 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=8.5 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): 526.33, 28.10 (C(CH₃)₂), 34.54 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 52.53 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 62.29 (C-6), 73.31 (C-2), 73.69 (C-5), 73.87 (C-4), 78.89 (C-3), 100.33 (C-1), 110.69 (C(CH₃)₂), 116.89, 129.95, 132.63, 155.78 (6C, C₆H₄); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C₁₇H₂₃N₃NaO₆ [M+Na]⁺: 388.16, found: 388.06; IR (film): 2099 cm⁻¹ (N₃).

4-(2-Azidoethyl)phenyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-3,4-isopropylidene-β-D-galactopyranoside (14)

Compound 13 (1.02 g, 2.78 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (15 mL). 15-Crown-5 (55 μL, 0.28 mmol), 50% aq NaOH (37.5 mL) and benzylbromide (3.30 mL, 27.8 mmol) were added and the biphasic mixture was stirred overnight under reflux at 60° C. The reaction mixture was neutralized with 4 M aq HCl. The organic layer was separated and the aqueous phase extracted with DCM (2×50 mL) and. The combined organic layers were concentrated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (petroleum ether+0.5% TEA/EtOAc, 1:0 to 3:1) to give 14 (1.26 g, 2.31 mmol, 83%) as a white solid.

[α]_(D) ²⁰ +8.4 (c 1.00, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.28, 1.34 (2s, 6H, Me₂C), 2.76 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃), 3.37 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃), 3.60 (dd, J=6.8, 7.9 Hz, 1H, H-2), 3.69-3.80 (m, 2H, H-6), 3.97 (ddd, J=1.8, 4.7, 6.8 Hz, 1H, H-5), 4.13 (dd, J=2.0, 5.7 Hz, 1H, H-4), 4.18 (m, 1H, H-3), 4.46, 4.54 (A, B of AB, J=11.8 Hz, 2H, CH₂Ph), 4.78-4.85 (m, 3H, CH₂Ph, H-1), 6.69, 7.03 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=8.6 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄), 7.15-7.28 (m, 8H, 2C₆H₅), 7.34 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 2H, 2C₆H₅); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 26.41, 27.81 (C(CH₃)₂), 34.62 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 52.62 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 69.60 (C-6), 72.72 (C-5), 73.67 (C-4), 73.69 (2C, 2CH₂Ph), 79.08 (C-3), 79.26 (C-2), 101.09 (C-1), 110.27 (C(CH₃)₂), 117.23 (2C, C₆H₄), 127.63, 127.69, 127.72, 128.26, 128.32, 128.40 (8C, 2C₆H₅), 129.80 (2C, C₆H₄), 132.19, 138.14 (2C₆H₅), 138.29, 156.26 (C₆H₄); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C₃₁H₃₅N₃NaO₆ [M+Na]⁺: 568.25, found: 568.21; IR (KBr): 2096 cm⁻¹ (N₃). δ

4-(2-Azidoethyl)phenyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (15)

A solution of 14 (1.26 g, 2.31 mmol) in 90% aq AcOH (50 mL) was stirred at 60° C. stirred overnight. The solvents were evaporated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (DCM/MeOH, 1:0 to 9:1) to give 15 (1.17 g, 2.31 mmol, quant) as an oil.

[α]_(D) ²⁰ −9.9 (c 1.10, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 2.76 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃), 3.38 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃), 3.59 (dd, J=3.3, 9.5 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.62-3.76 (m, 4H, H-2, H-5, H6), 3.92 (d, J=3.2 Hz, 1H, H-4), 4.48 (s, 2H, CH₂Ph), 4.69 (A of AB, J=11.5 Hz, 1H, CH₂Ph), 4.87 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H, H-1), 4.96 (B of AB, J=11.5 Hz, 1H, CH₂Ph), 6.97, 7.05 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=8.5 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄), 7.15-7.31 (m, 10H, 2C₆H₅); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 34.58 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 52.59 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 68.92 (C-4), 69.41 (C-6), 73.20 (C-3), 73.74 (C-5), 73.81, 74.91 (2CH₂Ph), 78.87 (C-2), 101.86 (C-1), 117.19 (2C, C₆H₄), 127.75, 127.83, 128.03, 128.27, 128.47, 128.60 (8C, 2C₆H₅), 129.83 (2C, C₆H₄), 132.33, 137.87 (2C₆H₅), 138.14, 156.13 (C₆H₄); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C₂₈H₃₁N₃NaO₆ [M+Na]⁺: 528.22, found: 528.22; IR (film): 2098 cm⁻¹ (N₃).

4-(2-Azidoethyl)phenyl 4-O-benzoyl-2,6-di-O-benzyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (16)

To a solution of 15 (1.17 g, 2.31 mmol) in toluene (15 mL) were added trimethylortho-benzoate (0.64 mL, 3.72 mmol) and p-TsOH (118 mg, 0.62 mmol). The mixture was stirred at 45° C. overnight, then concentrated and the residue dissolved in 90% aq AcOH (15 mL). The solution was stirred for 2 h at 60° C., concentrated, and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (petroleum ether/EtOAc, 9:1 to 7:3) to yield 16 (1.30 g, 2.14 mmol, 93%) as a colorless oil.

[α]_(D) ²⁰ −8.4 (c 1.00, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 2.83 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃), 3.44 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃) 3.60-3.66 (m, 2H, H-6), 3.87 (dd, J=7.4, 9.6 Hz, 1H, H-2), 3.92 (dd, J=3.5, 9.6 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.96 (t, J=6.2 Hz, 1H, H-5), 4.41, 4.48 (A, B of AB, J=11.7 Hz, 2H, CH₂Ph), 4.78 (A of AB, J=11.2 Hz, 1H, CH₂Ph), 4.99-5.07 (m, 2H, H-1, CH₂Ph), 5.63 (d, J=2.8 Hz, 1H, H-4), 7.06, 7.12 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=8.5 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄), 7.18-7.35 (m, 10H, 2C₆H₅), 7.43 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 2H, C₆H₅), 7.56 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 1H, C₆H₅), 8.04-8.09 (m, 2H, C₆H₅); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 34.62 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 52.63 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 68.61 (C-6), 70.25 (C-4), 72.21 (C-3), 73.28 (C-5), 73.71, 75.13 (2CH₂Ph), 79.15 (C-2), 101.89 (C-1), 117.07 (2C, C₆H₄), 127.76, 127.78, 128.04, 128.29, 128.39, 128.49, 128.58, 129.57 (12C, 3C₆H₅), 129.93 (20, C₆H₄), 130.10, 132.46, 133.38, 137.79 (6C, 3C₆H₅), 138.06, 156.17 (C₆H₄), 166.38 (CO); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C₃₅H₃₅N₃NaO₇ [M+Na]⁺: 532.24, found: 532.28; IR (film): 2102 cm⁻¹ (N₃).

4-(2-Azidoethyl)phenyl (methyl 2,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-β-D-glucopyranuronate)-(1→3)-4-O-benzoyl-2,6-di-O-benzyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (17)

Under argon tricholoroacetimidate 3 (1.75 g, 2.63 mmol), 16 (1.30 g, 2.14 mmol) and activated 4 Å molecular sieves (2 g) were suspended in DCM (25 mL). The mixture was stirred for 1 h at rt and then cooled to 0° C. TMSOTf (58.4 μL, 0.32 mmol) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to rt overnight, and was then neutralized with TEA (150 μL) and concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography (petroleum ether/EtOAc, 9:1 to 7:3) to yield 17 (2.04 g, 1.84 mmol, 86%) as a white solid.

[α]_(D) ²⁰ +25.2 (c 1.10, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): 52.84 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃), 3.46 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃), 3.61 (dd, J=7.3, 10.1 Hz, 1H, H-6a), 3.67 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.72 (dd, J=4.7, 10.2 Hz, 1H, H-6b), 3.98 (dd, J=7.9, 9.5 Hz, 1H, H-2), 4.02 (dd, J=5.3, 6.5 Hz, 1H, H-5), 4.15 (d, J=9.8 Hz, 1H, H-5′), 4.24 (dd, J=3.4, 9.5 Hz, 1H, H-3), 4.48 (A, B of AB, J=11.5 Hz, 2H, CH₂Ph), 4.55, 4.91 (A, B of AB, J=10.7 Hz, 2H, CH₂Ph), 5.02 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H, H-1), 5.39 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 1H, H-1′), 5.47 (dd, J=7.4, 9.1 Hz, 1H, H-2′), 5.69 (t, J=9.5 Hz, 1H, H-4′), 5.77 (t, J=9.3 Hz, 1H, H-3′), 5.81 (d, J=3.3 Hz, 1H, H-4), 7.02, 7.10 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=8.7 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄), 7.22-7.46, 7.48-7.53, 7.56-7.66, 7.76-7.81, 7.88-7.93, 8.05-8.10 (m, 30H, 6C₆H₅); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 34.60 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 52.59 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 52.86 (OMe), 69.06 (C-6), 70.01 (C-4), 70.06 (C-4′), 71.83 (C-2′), 72.24 (C-3′), 72.94 (C-5′), 73.67 (C-5), 73.73, 75.25 (2CH₂Ph), 76.26 (C-3), 79.77 (C-2), 100.3 (C-1′), 101.81 (C-1), 117.02 (2C, C₆H₄), 127.69, 127.76, 127.98, 128.10, 128.30, 128.37, 128.43, 128.56, 128.75, 128.94, 129.09, 129.60, 129.77, 129.82, 129.87, 129.94, 130.10, 132.39, 132.92, 133.08, 133.26, 133.38, 137.85, 137.92, 156.09 (40C, 6C₆H₅, C₆H₄), 164.47, 165.00, 165.51, 165.64, 167.16 (5CO); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C₆₃H₅₇N₃NaO₁₆ [M+Na]⁺: 1134.36, found: 1134.47; IR (KBr): 2099 cm⁻¹ (N₃).

4-(2-Azidoethyl)phenyl (β-D-glucopyranuronate)-(1→3)-2,6-di-O-benzyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (18)

Compound 17 (2.04 g, 1.84 mmol) was suspended in THF (14 mL) and the suspension was cooled to −10° C. Then 2 M aq LiOH (10 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight and allowed to warm to rt. After neutralization with Amberlite® IR-120 (H⁺) ion-exchange resin and filtration, the solvents were evaporated, the residue was dissolved in THF/H₂O (2:3, 16 mL) and treated with TFA (8 mL) for 30 min. The mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue was purified by reversed-phase chromatography (RP-18, MeOH/water, 0:1 to 3:1) to give 18 (1.12 g, 1.64 mmol, 89%) as a solid.

[α]_(D) ²⁰ −48.1 (c 1.00, MeOH); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 2.79 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃), 3.35-3.47 (m, 4H, H-2′, H-3′, CH₂CH₂N₃), 3.53 (t, J=9.1 Hz, 1H, H-4′), 3.73 (m, 2H, H-6), 3.77 (d, J=9.8 Hz, 1H, H-5′), 3.81-3.89 (m, 2H, H-3, H-5), 3.94 (m, 1H, H-2), 4.06 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H, H-4), 4.53 (s, 2H, CH₂Ph), 4.74 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1H, H-1′), 4.88-4.95 (m, 2H, CH₂Ph), 4.99 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H, H-1), 7.02, 7.12 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=8.5 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄), 7.20-7.34 (m, 8H, 2C₆H₅), 7.41 (d, J=7.1 Hz, 2H, 2C₆H₅); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CD₃OD): δ33.97 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 52.19 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 68.85 (C-4), 69.18 (C-6), 71.78 (C-4′), 72.86 (CH₂Ph), 73.32 (C-2′), 73.58 (C-5), 74.69 (CH₂Ph), 74.93 (C-5′), 75.83 (C-3′), 78.50 (C-2), 80.64 (C-3), 101.39 (C-1), 104.07 (C-1′), 116.43 (2C, C₆H₄), 127.12, 127.21, 127.25, 127.75, 127.87, 128.23 (10C, 2C₆H₅), 129.44, 132.31 (3C, C₆H₄), 138.22, 138.38 (2C₆H₅), 156.25 (C₆H₄), 171.27 (CO); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C₃₄H₃₆N₃NaO₁₂ [M+Na]⁺: 704.24, found: 704.30; IR (KBr): 2099 cm⁻¹ (N₃).

4-(2-Azidoethyl)phenyl (methyl 2,4-di-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranuronate)-(1→3)-4-O-acetyl-2,6-di-O-benzyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (19)

A solution of 18 (900 mg, 1.32 mmol) in Ac₂O (15 mL) was stirred at 80° C. for 1 h and then cooled to rt. Pyridine (9 mL) and DMAP (25 mg) were added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 3 days. The solvents were co-evaporated with toluene (5×5 mL). The residue was dissolved in DCM (50 mL) and extracted with brine (50 mL) and water (50 mL). The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄ and filtered through cotton wool. After evaporation of the solvent the residue was dissolved in dry MeOH (20 mL) and anhydrous NaOAc (100 mg) was added. The mixture was stirred overnight, neutralized with Amberlyste® 15 (H⁺) ion-exchange resin and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated and the residue purified by flash chromatography (petroleum ether/EtOAc, 2:1 to 2:3) to yield 19 (794 mg, 0.97 mmol, 73%) as a yellowish solid.

[α]_(D) ²⁰ −32.6 (c 1.00, CHCl₃); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.92, 2.01, 2.04 (3s, 9H, 3 OAc), 2.77 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃), 3.40 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃), 3.48 (dd, J=7.1, 10.1 Hz, 1H, H-6a), 3.55 (dd, J=4.8, 10.2 Hz, 1H, H-6b), 3.61 (m, 1H, H-3′), 3.67 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.78-3.83 (m, 2H, H-5, H-5′), 3.86 (dd, J=7.6, 9.7 Hz, 1H, H-2), 3.91 (dd, J=3.3, 9.6 Hz, 1H, H-3), 4.43 (A, B of AB, J=11.7 Hz, 2H, CH₂Ph), 4.64 (A of AB, J=11.6 Hz, 1H, CH₂Ph), 4.81-4.88 (m, 2H, H-1, H-2), 4.91 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1H, H-1′), 4.95 (B of AB, J=10.6 Hz, 1H, CH₂Ph), 5.07 (t, J=9.5 Hz, 1H, H-4′), 5.38 (d, J=3.0 Hz, 1H, H-4), 6.96, 7.04 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=8.5 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄), 7.18-7.31 (m, 10H, 2C₆H₅); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 20.69, 20.72, 20.76 (3COCH₃), 34.59 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 52.58 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 52.79 (OCH₃), 68.93 (C-6), 69.30 (C-4), 71.91 (C-4′), 72.53 (C-5), 73.10 (C-5′), 73.38 (C-3′), 73.70 (CH₂Ph), 73.87 (C-2′), 75.31 (CH₂Ph), 77.24 (C-3), 79.19 (C-2), 100.10 (C-1′), 101.71 (C-1), 117.04 (2C, C₆H₄), 127.76, 127.80, 127.96, 128.01, 128.40, 128.49 (100, 2C₆H₅), 129.85, 132.41 (3C, C₆H₄), 137.87, 137.96 (2C₆H₅), 156.08 (O₆H₄), 167.42, 170.11, 170.29, 170.32 (4CO); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C₄₁H₄₇N₃NaO₁₅ [M+Na]⁺: 844.29, found: 844.39; IR (KBr): 2101 cm⁻¹ (N₃).

4-(2-Azidoethyl)phenyl (methyl 2,4-di-O-acetyl-3-O-sulfo-β-D-glucopyranuronate)-(1→3)-4-O-acetyl-2,6-di-O-benzyl-β-D-galactopyranoside, sodium salt (20)

Compound 19 (794 mg, 0.97 mmol) was dissolved in dry DMF (10 mL) and SO₃.Py (846 mg, 5.31 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred for 2 h at rt and quenched by stirring with NaHCO₃ (719 mg, 8.56 mmol) for 2 h. The solid was filtered off and the filter was washed with MeOH. The filtrate was passed over a Dowex 50×8 (Na⁺) ion-exchange column. The filtrate was concentrated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (DCM/MeOH, 1:0 to 9:1) to give 20 (808 mg, 0.88 mmol, 91%) as a yellowish solid. During concentration after the flash chromatography a few drops of 0.1 M aq NaOH were added.

[α]_(D) ²⁰ −18.3 (c 1.00, MeOH); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 1.97, 2.09, 2.11 (3s, 9H, 3OAc), 2.86 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃), 3.50 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂N₃), 3.54 (dd, J=7.4, 10.4 Hz, 1H, H-6a), 3.65 (dd, J=4.4, 10.4 Hz, 1H, H-6b), 3.75 (s, 3H, OMe), 3.86 (dd, J=7.9, 9.5 Hz, 1H, H-2), 4.07 (dd, J=4.6, 7.1 Hz, 1H, H-5), 4.09-4.14 (m, 2H, H-3, H-5′), 4.49-4.57 (m, 2H, CH₂Ph), 4.66 (t, J=9.2 Hz, 1H, H-3′), 4.80 (A of AB, J=10.7 Hz, 1H, CH₂Ph), 4.96-5.03 (m, 2H, CH₂Ph, H-2′), 5.06 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H, H-1′), 5.11-5.17 (m, 2H, J=8.2 Hz, H-1, H-4′) 5.48 (d, J=3.6 Hz, 1H, H-4), 7.07, 7.18 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=8.5 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄), 7.29-7.44 (m, 10H, 2C₆H₅); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, CD₃OD): δ20.87, 21.20 (3C, 3COCH₃), 35.50 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 53.24 (CH₂CH₂N₃), 53.71 (OMe), 70.27 (C-6), 71.08 (C-4), 71.37 (C-4′), 72.95 (C-2′), 73.50 (C-5′), 74.14 (C-5), 74.41, 76.26 (2CH₂Ph), 78.98 (C-3′), 80.02 (C-3), 80.11 (C-2), 101.62 (C-1′), 102.61 (C-1), 117.93 (2C, C₆H₄), 128.69, 128.79, 128.90, 129.17, 129.37, 129.43 (10C, 2C₆H₅), 131.02, 134.06 (3C, C₆H₄), 139.56, 139.72 (2C₆H₅), 157.58 (C₆H₄), 164.89, 169.39, 171.64, 171.75 (4CO); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C₄₁H₄₆N₃O₁₈S [M−H]⁻: 900.25, found: 900.42; IR (KBr): 2101 cm⁻¹ (N₃).

4-(2-Aminoethyl)phenyl (disodium 3-O-sulfo-β-D-glucopyranuronate)-(1→3)-β-D-galactopyranoside (21)

To a solution of 20 (470 mg, 0.51 mmol) in THF/H₂O (10:1, 10 mL) was added 2 M aq LiOH (2 mL) at −10° C. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to rt and was stirred overnight. The mixture was neutralized with Amberlyste 15 (H⁺) ion-exchange resin and filtered. The filtrate was passed over a Dowex® 50×8 (Na⁺) ion-exchange column with MeOH and concentrated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (DCM/MeOH/H₂O, 10:3:0.3). A few drops of 0.1 M aq NaOH were added during concentration of the product, which was then dissolved in MeOH (4.5 mL) and H₂O (3.75 mL). AcOH (0.2 mL) and Pd(OH)₂/C (94 mg, 20%) were added under argon and the reaction mixture was stirred overnight under an atmosphere of hydrogen (1 atm). The catalyst was filtered off through a pad of Celite and the pad was washed with MeOH and a few drops of H₂O. The filtrate was concentrated and the residue purified by P2 size-exclusion chromatography to yield 21 (238 mg, 0.40 mmol, 78%) as a colorless solid after lyophilization.

[α]_(D) ²⁰ −25.6 (c 1.00, H₂O); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, D₂O): δ 2.99 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂NH₂), 3.28 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂NH₂), 3.66 (t, J=8.4 Hz, 1H, H-2′), 3.71-3.88 (m, 5H, H5, H-6, H-4′, H-5′), 3.92 (dd, J=3.2, 9.9 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.99 (t, J=8.6 Hz, 1H, H-2), 4.26 (d, J=3.1 Hz, 1H, H-4), 4.39 (t, J=9.0 Hz, 1H, H-3′), 4.82 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H, H-1′), 5.12 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1H, H-1), 7.17, 7.32 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=8.0 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, D₂O): δ31.97 (CH₂CH₂NH₂), 40.65 (CH₂CH₂NH₂), 60.78 (C-6), 68.05 (C-4), 69.02 (C-2), 70.50 (C-4′), 72.03 (C-2′), 75.10 (2C, C-5, C-5′), 82.43 (C-3), 83.60 (C-3′), 100.46 (C-1), 103.24 (C-1′), 117.01, 130.30, 131.29, 155.75 (6C, C₆H₄), 175.45 (CO); ESI-MS: m/z: calcd for C₂₀H₂₇NNa₂O₁₅S [M−2Na+H]⁻: 554.12, found: 554.07.

4-(2-(4-Mercaptobutanamido)ethyl)phenyl (disodium-3-O-sulfo-β-D-glucopyranuronate)-(1→3)-β-D-galactopyranoside (22)

To a suspension of 21 (238 mg, 0.40 mmol) in DMF (8 mL) were added dithiothreitol (112 mg, 0.72 mmol), thiobutyrolactone (343 μL, 4 mmol), and TEA (552 μL, 4 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 18 h at 85° C. The solvent was co-evaporated with toluene (3×5 mL) and the residue purified by flash chromatography (DCM/MeOH/H₂O, 10:5:1). A few drops of 0.1 M aq NaOH were added during concentration of the product. Lyophilization gave 22 (164 mg, 0.234 mmol, 59%) as a colorless solid.

[α]_(D) ²⁰ −20.2 (c 1.00, H₂O); ¹H NMR (500 MHz, D₂O): δ 1.72-1.85 (m, 2H, CH₂CH₂CH₂SH), 2.28 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂CH₂SH), 2.37 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂CH₂SH), 2.83 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂NH), 3.49 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 2H, CH₂CH₂NH), 3.67 (dd, J=8.1, 9.1 Hz, 1H, H-2′), 3.73-3.91 (m, 5H, H-5, H6, H-4′, H-5′), 3.94-4.02 (m, 2H, H-2, H-3), 4.29 (d, J=2.7 Hz, 1H, H-4), 4.39 (t, J=9.1 Hz, 1H, H-3′), 4.84 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H, H-1′), 5.13 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 1H, H-1), 7.14, 7.27 (AA′, BB′ of AA′BB′, J=8.5 Hz, 4H, C₆H₄); ¹³C NMR (126 MHz, D₂O): δ22.87 (CH₂CH₂CH₂SH), 29.44 (CH₂CH₂CH₂SH), 33.63 (CH₂CH₂NH), 34.34 (CH₂CH₂CH₂SH), 40.25 (CH₂CH₂NH), 60.77 (C-6), 68.04 (C-4), 69.03 (C-2), 70.47 (C-4′), 72.02 (C-2′), 75.10 (C-5), 76.10 (C-5′), 82.48 (C-3), 83.62 (C-3′), 100.67 (C-1), 103.26 (C-1′), 116.72, 130.19, 133.93, 155.24 (6C, C₆H₄), 175.43, 175.79 (2CO); HRMS: m/z: calcd for C₂₄H₃₃NNa₂O₁₆S₂ [M+H]⁺: 702.1109, found: 702.1104.

Chloroacetylated Polylysine (24)

Polylysine hydrobromide (23) (Sigma P2636, MW 30-70 kD, 0.50 g, 2.4 mmol) was suspended in a mixture of DMF (5 mL) and 2,6-lutidine (1.25 mL) under argon. The suspension was cooled to 0° C. and a solution of chloroacetic anhydride (513 mg, 3.00 mmol) in DMF (1 mL) was added slowly. The resulting clear solution was stirred for 16 h at 0° C. The product was precipitated by dropwise addition of the reaction mixture to a stirred solution of ethanol/ether (1:1, 40 mL). The precipitate was filtered off, washed with ethanol/ether (1:1, 20 mL) and concentrated to give 24 (449 mg, 96%). The ¹H NMR data were in accordance with literature values (G. Thoma et al., J Am Chem Soc 1999, 121:5919-5929).

Minimal HNK-1 Polymer (25)

To a solution of 24 (80.2 mg, 0.39 mmol) in DMF (4 mL) were subsequently added 22 (110 mg, 0.16 mmol), water (200 μL) and DBU (88 μL, 0.59 mmol) in DMF (0.8 mL). After stirring for 1 h thioglycerol (102 μL, 1.18 mmol) and TEA (164 μL, 1.18 mmol) were added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 18 h. The product was precipitated by dropwise addition of the reaction mixture to a stirred solution of ethanol/ether (1:1, 30 mL). The precipitate was filtered off, washed with ethanol/ether (1:1, 15 mL) and dried. Further purification was achieved by means of ultrafiltration. The dried product was dissolved in water (10 mL) and ultracentrifugation was performed using two Sartorius Stedim Vivaspin 6 tubes (volume, 6 mL, diameter, 17 mm, molecular weight cutoff 5000). The ultrafiltration was repeated four times from 10 mL down to 3 mL, on each occasion the volume was filled up with water. Lyophilization gave the HNK-1 polymer 25 (139 mg, 70%) According to ¹H NMR, the product contained approximately 44% monomer carbohydrate units linked to the polymer.

2,5-Dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl acrylate (28)

To a cooled (ice-bath) solution of N-hydroxysuccinimide (27) (6.41 g, 55.8 mmol) and NEt₃ (8.5 mL, 61.0 mmol) in CHCl₃ (100 mL) was added acryloyl chloride (26) dropwise under argon. The temperature of the mixture was kept below 12° C. during the addition. After stirring for 2.5 h, the reaction mixture was subsequently washed with ice-water (100 mL), water (100 mL), and brine (100 mL). The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, concentrated in vacuo to 15 mL, and filtered through a pad of celite. The celite was washed with CHCl₃ (15 mL), the filtrate was diluted with EtOAc (2 mL) and petroleum ether (11 mL), and stored at −20° C. overnight. The formed precipitate was filtered off and dried in vacuo to yield 28 (4.30 g, 25.4 mmol, 46%) as white needles.

Activated Polyacrylate (29)

A solution of 28 (2.10 g, 12.4 mmol) and AIBN (133 mg, 0.81 mmol) in dry benzene (100 mL) was heated at 60° C. for 1 d. The formed precipitate was filtered off, washed with dry THF and dried in vacuo to give 29 (1.70 g, 81%) as a white solid. The molecular weight of 29 was determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), with Varian polystyrene calibration kit S-M2-10 used as standard. Mn=13.9 kD, Mw=55.3 kD, Mz=127.4 kD, Mp=39.0 kD, Mw/Mn=3.99.

Minimal HNK-1 Polymer (30)

Compound 22 (51 mg, 0.085 mmol), DBU (10.5 mg, 0.183 mmol) and polymer 29 (29 mg) were dissolved in DMF (0.5 mL) and DMSO (1 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred for 18 h. Then, MeNH₂ (0.5 mL, 33% solution in MeOH) was added and stirring was continued for 19 h. The mixture was dialyzed subsequently with a 10 kD cut-off membrane in water (1 L), aq. ammonium formiate (40 mM, 1 L), aq. ammonium formiate (60 mM, 2×1 L), and water (2×1 L). Final lyophilization gave minimal HNK-1 polymer 30 (27 mg, 39%) as ammonium salt. According to ¹H NMR, the product contained approximately 50% of monomer carbohydrate units linked to the polymer.

Patient Sera

Sera of four patients (three men and one woman) were investigated. They all were tested positive for a monoclonal IgM gammopathy and were diagnosed with anti-MAG neuropathy at the University Hospital of Basel (Basel, Switzerland). Serum anti-MAG antibody titers were determined by an ELISA assay (Bühlmann Laboratories, Schönenbuch, Switzerland). Sera from two patients with a monoclonal IgM gammopathy and negative anti-MAG activity served as control. Use of sera was approved by the ethics committee of the University Hospital of Basel.

Competitive Binding Assay

An anti-MAG ELISA kit (Bühlmann Laboratories, Schönenbuch, Switzerland) was used for the biological evaluation of compounds 1, 2 and 25. The 96 well plates coated with purified MAG from human brain were washed four times with washing buffer (300 μl/well) before adding the carbohydrate ligands in seven different concentrations (0.05-50 mM for the monomers 1 and 2 and 0.05-5′000 nM for the polymer 25), 25 μl/well. The patient sera containing anti-MAG IgM antibodies were added in the appropriate dilutions, 25 μl/well. The measurements were made in duplicate. The plate was covered with a plate sealer and incubated for 2 h at 5° C. The wells were washed four times with wash buffer (300 μl/well) before the enzyme labeled IgM (anti-human IgM antibody conjugated to horseradish peroxidase in a protein-based buffer with preservatives) was added (100 μl/well). The plate was incubated for 2 h at 5° C. After washing the wells (4×300 μl/well), a substrate solution of tetramethylbenzidin (TMB in citrate buffer with hydrogen peroxide) was added (100 μl/well) and the plate incubated for further 30 minutes at 800 rpm and room temperature (rt), protected from daylight. Finally, a stop solution (0.25 M sulfuric acid) was added (100 μl/well) and the degree of colorimetric reaction was determined by absorption measurement at 450 nm with a microplate reader (Spectramax 190, Molecular Devices, California, USA). 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula (I)

or of formula (II)

wherein Z is optionally substituted phenyl, heteroaryl, arylcarbonyl, or heteroarylmethyl.
 2. The compound of claim 1 of formula (I) or (II) wherein Z is unsubstituted or substituted phenyl.
 3. The compound of claim 2 of formula (I) or (II) wherein Z is p-methoxyphenyl.
 4. The compound of claim 2 of formula (I) wherein Z is p-methoxyphenyl.
 5. The compound of claim 2 of formula (II) wherein Z is p-methoxyphenyl.
 6. A polymer comprising a multitude of substituents of formula (I) and/or formula (II),

wherein Z is a linker connecting said substituent to the polymer backbone.
 7. The polymer according to claim 6 wherein the polymer backbone is an α-amino acid polymer, an acrylic acid or methacrylic acid polymer or copolymer, or a N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone-vinyl alcohol copolymer.
 8. The polymer according to claim 6 wherein the polymer backbone is an α-amino acid polymer, wherein the α-amino acid is lysine, glutamic acid or aspartic acid.
 9. The polymer according to claim 6 wherein the polymer backbone is poly-lysine.
 10. The polymer according to claim 7 wherein the molecular weight of the polymer backbone is 1,000 D to 300,000 D.
 11. The polymer according to claim 6, wherein the linker Z is aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-lower alkyl, arylcarbonyl, or heteroarylmethyl, wherein aryl or heteroaryl is substituted by alkylene with 3 to 25 carbon atoms connecting to the polymer wherein optionally (a) one or more carbon atoms of alkylene are replaced by nitrogen carrying a hydrogen atom, and one of the adjacent carbon atoms is substituted by oxo, representing an amide function —NH—CO—; and/or (b) one or more carbon atoms of alkylene are replaced by oxygen; (c) one or more carbon atoms of alkylene are replaced by sulphur; and/or (d1) the terminal carbon atom connecting to the polymer is substituted by oxo; or (d2) the terminal carbon atom connecting to the polymer is replaced —NH—.
 12. The polymer according to claim 6, wherein the relative molecular weight of polymer backbone to disaccharide of formula (I) and/or (II) is between 10:1 and 1:1.5.
 13. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I) or (II) according to claim
 1. 14. A diagnostic kit comprising a compound of formula (I) or (II) according to claim
 1. 15. A method of treatment of anti-MAG neuropathy, which comprises administering a compound of formula (I) or (II) according to claim 1 in a quantity effective against said disease, to a warm-blooded animal requiring such treatment.
 16. A method of detecting an autoantibody against the Human Natural Killer-1 (HNK-1) epitope in a sample, comprising (i) contacting a compound of formula (I) or (II) according to claim 1 with said sample, wherein said sample is a body fluid; and (ii) detecting binding of said autoantibody and said compound of formula (I) or (II).
 17. A method of diagnosis of anti-MAG neuropathy of a patient, which comprises (i) providing a body fluid sample of said patient; (ii) subjecting a compound of formula (I) or (II) according to claim 1 to said body fluid sample for binding of said compound to IgM autoantibodies against the Human Natural Killer-1 (HNK-1) epitope comprised in said body fluid sample; and (iii) determining said binding.
 18. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a polymer according to claim
 6. 19. A diagnostic kit comprising a polymer according to claim
 6. 20. A method of detecting an autoantibody against the Human Natural Killer-1 (HNK-1) epitope in a sample, comprising (i) contacting a polymer according to claim 6 with said sample, wherein said sample is a body fluid; and (ii) detecting binding of autoantibody with said polymer of claim
 6. 21. A method of diagnosis of anti-MAG neuropathy of a patient, which comprises (i) providing a body fluid sample of said patient; (ii) subjecting a polymer according to claim 6 to said body fluid sample for binding of said polymer to IgM autoantibodies against the Human Natural Killer-1 (HNK-1) epitope comprised in said body fluid sample; and (iii) determining said binding.
 22. A method of treatment of anti-MAG neuropathy, which comprises administering a polymer according to claim 6 in a quantity effective against said disease, to a warm-blooded animal requiring such treatment.
 23. The polymer according to claim 9, wherein said linker Z is phenyl substituted by —(CH₂)₂NH(C═O)(CH₂)₃S—CH₂—(C═O)— connecting at the C═O function said substituent to the aminoalkyl side chains of said poly-lysine.
 24. The polymer according to claim 23, wherein said polymer is poly-L-lysine.
 25. The polymer according to claim 24, wherein said substituents are substituents of formula (I). 